The cost of food
by Nicole Mesman
Throughout history food has been a source of energy, sustenance, income and enjoyment, and has played a significant role in cultural rituals and celebrations. Today however, with rising prices being experienced worldwide, food is becoming increasingly difficult to purchase, let alone enjoy.
CHINA
Yin and Yang
‘Illness starts from what goes into one’s mouth, while trouble starts from what comes out of it.’
An old Chinese saying.
Throughout their history the Chinese have followed the strict practice of Chinese medicine, which states the importance of balancing yin with yang. Its teachings led to healthy and harmonious practices amongst Chinese, such as consuming a large variety of vegetables, fruit and grains, with some meat, and avoiding excessively oily and sugary foods. However, in today’s China, the growing influence of the west is fast replacing these wise teachings of Chinese medicine with unhealthy western diets.
“As the food around them changes so does their appetite” says Chang, owner of a traditional Chinese restaurant in Beijing, China. He adds that, “people are moving away from their traditional diets and focusing on a more meat centred one”. In recent years western diets involving high consumption of meat and dairy products have become increasingly popular in China. This change in tradition has led to rising obesity levels – now 2% – and high inflation rates. Inflation in China is rising mainly because of the shortage in western foods, such as wheat, meat and dairy products, meaning less food available and at higher prices. The recent move towards biofuels is also contributing to inflation rates because more sugar and grain crops have been used to create fuel for vehicles than for human consumption. This diversion of crops away from food production has resulted in shortages and price rises throughout the food industry.
EGYPT
The gift of the Nile
Back in the days of the ancient Egyptians if you were cruising a street market you would find bread, rice and fish as main staples, as well as grapes, figs and a variety of vegetables, peas, onions, leeks, cabbages and turnips. Back then Egyptians did not grow sugar cane. Cakes were made using honey and, along with coconuts and olives, were brought only by the wealthy.
At an Egyptian market today, you are likely to find dozens of hungry people, who can no longer afford even main staples such as rice, lentils and pasta, let alone the delicacies of meat, fruit and vegetables which are also needed for good nutrition. For low income Egyptians, the wages they are being paid no longer meet the cost of living and so now the only thing affordable is subsidised bread. The government subsidises bread in certain bakeries around Egypt and costs ten times less than unsubsidised bread. However, even with subsidised bread Egyptians are trapped. Unless wages start to rise soon, riots will continue as citizens campaign for a chance to eat. Mother of six Anippe, a resident of Cairo who voiced her thoughts on this Youtube video, explains that once her wages have been spent on the rent, water, electricity and food, none is left for her children’s future. “There is none left for anyone’s future,” she says.
BRAZIL
The melting pot
Brazil has long been a country influenced by many traditions. In the early eleventh century, during the Inca rule in Peru, the potato made its way across the border and became a staple. When the Spanish came in the 1500s, they brought at least one welcome addition with them – the sugarcane, which is still being turned into the traditional alcoholic drink Cachaca. Today, while still retaining its traditional dishes of rice, meat, beans and potato, Brazilian food continues to be influenced by people who have come to live there, adding a hint of African, Italian, and Middle East cuisine to the mix.
In a recent attempt to lower rising food prices the Brazilian government suspended taxes on wheat, the main ingredient for bread and pasta. The price of wheat in Brazil has risen because of international prices and the export ban placed on wheat in Argentina, Brazil’s main supplier. Argentina is placing export bans on many commodities to prevent farmers exporting and to create protective stockpiles thereby lowering prices within the country. While that may temporarily lower national prices in Argentina, it means that other countries which import wheat, such as Brazil, end up paying more.
AUSTRALIA
Gone walkabout
Early Australia was inhabited solely by the Aboriginal people who enjoyed a diet of meat, fish, root vegetables and fruit. With the arrival of the European colonists in the eighteenth century, Australian cuisine took a huge turn. The colonists brought their European diet with them and this still remains dominant today, despite modern influences from Asia.
This year in Australia catastrophe hit: after long droughts rice production fell by 98 percent. This is fast affecting the entire world and while some governments have reacted by placing export taxes (which make it costly for farmers and producers to send their produce overseas), many others must meekly receive the doubled price. At home the effects of the drought are being felt in price rises across the board. However, Aussies still enjoy their traditional pork roasts on a Sunday accompanied by whatever vegetables are in the fridge and apple sauce. (Sauces are a huge deal in Australia, with the tomato flavor topping the charts as the most widely consumed!).
GLOBAL PROBLEMS- A “PERFECT STORM” OF FACTORS
Why is this all happening? While some supermarkets, middle men and farmers are definitely profiting, the main reason prices are rising is oil. Almost everywhere in the food production and transport chain, oil is needed. Its retail price is now over NZ$2 a litre a sum accumulated by the expense of finding and exposing new oil supplies, company profits and high public demand. Climate change is another issue, leading to extreme weather conditions, such as the drought in Australia. Then there is the higher demand for food by a growing population, which is leading to insufficient food stores. The shortages are made worse by the increasing production of biofuels, which are directing land and resources away from food production.
And as world food prices continue to rise, more people all over the world are going hungry. When they turn to aid agencies for help they find the agencies also struggling, under increased demand for their services.
Hunger is not new. But all around the world, high food prices are now creating even more empty stomachs and angry people who want their basic human right to food.
TAKE ACTION
How can you help the world through this global food crisis?
- You can decrease your dependency on oil by growing your own veges (Check out some great tips for organic gardening at www.sustainablehouseholds.org.nz)or buying locally grown products. Get along to your local farmers market, orchard etc!
- Voice your opinion about governments who are choosing fuel over food (i.e. biofuel production) and imposing harsh export taxes
- Help aid the aid agencies www.friendsofwfp.org
- Learn more about the issues! (see below)
LEARN MORE
- Check out this amazing photo essay- What the world eats
- Learn how to cook food the slow way at www.slowfood.com
- Read Hannah Robson’s article about how to live Life after Oil
- Find out more about food production and distribution at www.foodfirst.org or www.globalissues.org/food
- Watch this Youtube video about the food crisis in Egypt and find out why the devastation is unfolding.
References
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/jul/05/energy.environment
http://chetday.com/braziliancuisine.htm
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Australia_probes_soaring_food_prices_999.html
http://www.sacu.org/food.html
http://intlxpatr.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/drought-and-rising-food-prices/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7288940.stm
