Are we having a food crisis?

ghemminger

Banned
Joined
Jul 11, 2007
Messages
4,623
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23781864/

[h1]Is your grocery bill going up? You're not alone[/h1]
[h2]From rice in Peru to miso in Japan, food prices are rising all over the world[/h2]
Pakistani women struggle as they try to order food outside of a subsidized food store on the outskirts of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Basic food and fuel prices have soared in Pakistan over the last months, causing many to depend on government subsidies to simply get by.

View related photos
Emilio Morenatti / AP file



APTRANS.gif
updated 1:43 p.m. PT, Mon., March. 24, 2008

MEXICO CITY - If you’re seeing your grocery bill go up, you’re not alone.
From subsistence farmers eating rice in Ecuador to gourmets feasting on escargot in France, consumers worldwide face rising food prices in what analysts call a perfect storm of conditions. Freak weather is a factor. But so are dramatic changes in the global economy, including higher oil prices, lower food reserves and growing consumer demand in China and India.
The world’s poorest nations still harbor the greatest hunger risk. Clashes over bread in Egypt killed at least two people last week, and similar food riots broke out in Burkina Faso and Cameroon this month.
 
I'm afraid Ben's inflation mongering does have a negative effect....we are exporting our inflation.....hungry children...how sad....
 
LOL @ that picture, wow!

Food shortages, yeah, I've already been hearing about it in the news, and, I feel that we'll be hearing more. I'm not surprised and thankfully not affected.
 
what the hell is in that picture....looks more like a zombie than a woman LOL
 
This summer, plan on growing a garden and learning how to can or dry your food. I just picked up about 40 mason jars/lids for free from someone who was looking to get rid of them. I'm pricing dehydrators for the herbs and maybe beef jerky, things like that.

I've grown a couple gardens before, but none this large. And I'm trying raised bed this time though. If anyone has any good advice, I'll take it!

I doubt there will be shortages around here, but there will certainly be price hikes.
 
Raised beds are great! Make sure you prep the ground underneath, you need total depth at 12-14 inches. As far as 40 jars are concerned, not nearly enough for my family, Don't know about yours. I use around 800 jars, 4 kids and all.
We are facing severe price increases and it will get worse. I buy in bulk as a hedge against rising prices. One years wheat=600lbs. for me.
 
Raised beds are great! Make sure you prep the ground underneath, you need total depth at 12-14 inches. As far as 40 jars are concerned, not nearly enough for my family, Don't know about yours. I use around 800 jars, 4 kids and all.
We are facing severe price increases and it will get worse. I buy in bulk as a hedge against rising prices. One years wheat=600lbs. for me.

Wow. And my girlfriend looks at me like I'm crazy for buying 50 pounds of rice and 25 pounds of flour...

I wish I could start a garden. Apartment = no land.
 
I rent 4 acres. If you can find the space do what you can. Not just for SHTF scenarios but as a hedge against rising prices.
Container gardening is worthwhile if you have a balcony or patio etc. I have done that and still do.
 
Raised beds are great! Make sure you prep the ground underneath, you need total depth at 12-14 inches. As far as 40 jars are concerned, not nearly enough for my family, Don't know about yours. I use around 800 jars, 4 kids and all.
We are facing severe price increases and it will get worse. I buy in bulk as a hedge against rising prices. One years wheat=600lbs. for me.

:eek:

Well, only 40, because they were free. I'm focusing mostly on dehydration because it's lighter, takes up less space, etc.

I'm reading up on how to prep the ground underneath using recycled materials, and am also planning on starting a compost heap, I just haven't decided on style though.
 
Wow. And my girlfriend looks at me like I'm crazy for buying 50 pounds of rice and 25 pounds of flour...

I wish I could start a garden. Apartment = no land.

start with a book called The Apartment Gardener

you're in texas right?

between window seals and porches, you've got plenty of space...

and get into wild food.
 
Try these sites if you want to buy in bulk...

http://www.survivalacres.com

http://www.waltonfeed.com

Or if you want wholesale razors, soap, cleaning products, foil, I found this site to be great if you have a business with a tax ID or know someone who does.

http://www.4sgm.com

I got slammed on DP for mentioning that site as they have some USA products but most are from other countries...My arguement is that a 10pk of Gillette razors, made in mexico was $7.99 at our walmart...You can buy a pack of 15 double edge razors for .79 a pack...

Does it really matter at this point as to which countries they come from? I don't know...I am just trying to help..

You can also check:

http://www.wholesalecentral.com

everything wholesale from socks to tasers...
 
US FOOD/PRODUCE for Crude/refined OIL!

Wow. And my girlfriend looks at me like I'm crazy for buying 50 pounds of rice and 25 pounds of flour...

I wish I could start a garden. Apartment = no land.

I just DOUBLED our garden size to 1200 sq ft. Tastes Great, Less Expensive! Won't have to visit the Produce section for at least 6 months.

Time to think about Citrus/Fruit/Nut Trees...


Hmm... Idea...


FOOD/PRODUCE for OIL!
 
I just DOUBLED our garden size to 1200 sq ft. Tastes Great, Less Expensive! Won't have to visit the Produce section for at least 6 months.

Time to think about Citrus/Fruit/Nut Trees...


Hmm... Idea...


FOOD/PRODUCE for OIL!

Nice! I've been trying to decide what fruit trees I'd like to plant, I can only pick two and I don't want them to get too large. I'm thinking of apple and plum. I don't think nut trees grow around here...which is a shame.

What I'd love to do is replace all of the landscaping plants with "dual purpose" plants, whether they be herbal, medicinal or whatever. First plan is to start to replace the shrubs with blackberry, raspberry and blueberry bushes. Second, to replace the dogwood and the Japanese maple with fruit trees.

I'm also going to hook up some rain collection systems for watering.

If I use compost, does anyone know if I'll have to fertilize or not?
 
Try these sites if you want to buy in bulk...

http://www.survivalacres.com

http://www.waltonfeed.com

Or if you want wholesale razors, soap, cleaning products, foil, I found this site to be great if you have a business with a tax ID or know someone who does.

http://www.4sgm.com

I got slammed on DP for mentioning that site as they have some USA products but most are from other countries...My arguement is that a 10pk of Gillette razors, made in mexico was $7.99 at our walmart...You can buy a pack of 15 double edge razors for .79 a pack...

Does it really matter at this point as to which countries they come from? I don't know...I am just trying to help..

You can also check:

http://www.wholesalecentral.com

everything wholesale from socks to tasers...

thanks for da links - whih is best?
 
you kinda have to figure that out yourself judging on the products you want to buy in bulk...stay away from anything heavy...in other words if you want to buy a case of bleach for .55 a piece the shipping will kill you and you will realize you could have done better at a local store...

A case of 155 pairs of socks out of Alabama for 43.00 will be a better cost effective route to take.

As far as the food sites, i don't know..I haven't ordered yet and I think they both carry the same products...so pricing will be the only issue between them.
 
I've grown a couple gardens before, but none this large. And I'm trying raised bed this time though. If anyone has any good advice, I'll take it!

This is THE best food gardening book I've ever read... basically all you need to know:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Vegetable-Gardeners-Bible/Edward-C-Smith/e/9781580172127

The Vegetable Gardener's Bible: Discover Ed's High-Yield W-O-R-D System for All North American Gardening
by Edward C. Smith


The other advice I have is to supplement with trace minerals and natural soil amendments: High amounts of greensand, lots of kelp meal, plenty of bone meal and rock phosphate, some epsom salts, some Espoma Garden Iron. And if you also use chemical fertilizer, use one like Miracle Gro that has trace minerals mixed in. (Pricey but fantastic if you have a small garden: bat guano.) But don't bother with fancy potions and stuff that comes in little bottles.

Most soil is low in trace minerals. Therefore, most compost and manure is low in trace minerals, as well. So you need amendments that have trace minerals. And standard fertilizers don't have the slow-release qualities of amendments like rock phosphate and greensand. So you need those, too.

Your food will taste far better and be more nutritious if you use mineral amendments.
 
Back
Top