FOOD PRICES – FROM CRISIS TO STABILITY

October 16^th is World Food Day and this year the theme is “FOOD PRICES – FROM CRISIS TO STABILITY”.  The objective is to shed light on rising food costs and the effect they have on the most vulnerable people, specifically children, in developing countries.

Below is a great World Food Day video from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.  It does a great job explaining what exactly is pushing the cost of food up so high and who it’s affecting.   

The effects of rising food prices on already malnourished children can be devastating.  When food prices rise, children have no choice but to skip meals, go to bed hungry and eat cheaper, less nutritious food.  How much do you know about world food production? Find out by taking our online quiz:  

According to the World Bank, in 2010-2011 rising food costs pushed nearly 70 million people into extreme poverty. Right now, Members of Congress and their staff are deciding how much to spend on humanitarian and foreign assistance in 2012.  When you combine the rising cost of basic food with proposed massive budget cuts, the number of people living in extreme poverty will more than likely rise. We can’t let that happen.  Jacques Diouf, the Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations makes the link between funding and food stability. “Agriculture cannot respond fast enough with increased food production because of long-term under-investment in research, technology, equipment and infrastructure.”

That’s why we need your help.  Send a letter here asking your member of Congress to support foreign assistance funding in 2012, so that we can continue to create a better world for children everywhere.