October 16, 2011 World Food Day

“Food Prices – from crisis to stability” is the theme for World Food Day this year. It also coincides with Blog Action Day 2011. It’s crazy that my previous post was all about obesity and the excess food many of us consume whilst more than half of the world’s population is starving. The issue of food, its sustainability, cost, production and consumption is a huge one. A subject that may be overwhelming to most of us, yet we are all active participants whether we realise it or not. Our food choices, the contents of our shopping trollies and  our wasteful lifestyles are all contributors to this worldwide phenomenon and problem. So many of us will simply say “What can I do? I am only one individual? How is what I do going to make any impact?” Of course you are right. No individual can make a difference. However I believe that if we all just do one little thing towards helping, we can have an impact. Perhaps I am naive and too idealistic, but I do believe that we need to spread this awareness and we need to start thinking about what we can do as individuals.

Food prices have sky rocketed in recent years. I am sure you all know this just from the increase in cost of your usual shopping trolley. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, state that prices are going to remain volatile, and that efforts need to be stepped up to strengthen the resilience of small farmers to improve  food security over the long term.

Below are some  fantastic  educational resources to help us understand what we are up against. Perhaps you will find something here that you could manage to do. Let me know what you think. Your thoughts and replies are always appreciated.

You absolutely need to see this:

What can you  do to make a difference?

Greenmarket Farmers Markets

Make a donation

Follow and do what The Urban farming Guys are doing.

Think before you buy chicken, meat and other products from animals

Great ideas how you can get involved immediately from The Meatrix