Are You Prepared For A World Food Shortage?

The recent uprisings against tyrannical governments in the Middle East reportedly started as  protests over rising food prices. In a recent article in Scientific American it was noted that Egyptians pay over forty percent of their salary for food, compared to about seven percent in the United States. When food shortages occur it is often  poorer countries that suffer the most, since cheap staples such as rice and wheat begin to rise in price dramatically, compared to income levels.

Is a world food shortage coming? Are you prepared to survive world food shortages by having enough staples on hand to last for several weeks? Hoarding food in the face of shortages is almost always discouraged by governments since this practice drives up prices  and accelerates shortages. When times are relatively good however, it’s not a bad idea to stock up on long lasting staples and canned goods. Some of the world’s major religions, such as Mormonism, encourage members to keep several months worth of emergency food  supplies on hand. In these uncertain times such a practice of preparing for food shortages might not be a bad idea at all.

With food prices expected to rise thirty percent in the coming year due to droughts in China and Argentina, citizens of more affluent countries could soon begin to feel the pinch. Another factor causing U.S. food prices to rise is the use of corn for ethanol. New federal laws will soon require even more ethanol to be used in gasoline, further driving up corn prices and in turn the price of beef, eggs, milk, pork and other grain fed animal products. You won’t earn thirty percent by putting your money in a savings account, but you might save that much by stocking up on some of the food that your family eats right now.

What Kind Of Foods Should You Store?

When planning to store food as protection against world food shortages you should remember the “food pyramid”. Grain products such as rice and flour usually store well, as do legumes such as beans. To round out your diet keep canned meats and fish on hand, as well as canned vegetables, fruits,  dried fruit and nuts. Having at least three months worth of food on hand is not a bad idea, but can be difficult for some people with limited storage space. Consider storing emergency food supplies in sealed containers such as Rubbermaid tubs or air – tight trash containers. This will help keep moisture, insects and animals out of emergency food supplies.

Consider A Backyard Garden For Emergency Food

For most people it is not practical to rely on a backyard garden as an emergency food supply since the amount of food consumed by a typical family would require a couple of acres of well tended crops. Backyard gardens can however provide needed fruit and vegetables during times of world food shortages. Since backyard gardens tend to produce most of their food in a short period of time, you might consider learning how to can some of your crops.  Canning vegetables involves using sterilized glass jars and heating food to high temperatures to kill off dangerous bacteria. If proper procedures are not followed you may risk food poisoning.  Canning vegetables is relatively simple though, and can be learned by reading books such as  “The Crisis Preparedness Handbook”. I personally own this book and have found it to be one of the best survival books on the market. (Read the reviews.)

Governments of developed countries such as the United States offer food assistance  to many of the world’s poorer countries. Often this aid falls short and does not reach the people that it is intended to help. If you would like to donate to food assistance programs, consider ones such as UNICEF and religious charity groups which have aid workers on the ground in countries such as Haiti, which  is now suffering from food shortages.