Food shortage is a very common phenomenon in modern society. This article will tell you the causes of food shortage and how to solve it.
Table of Contents
What Is The Root Of The Food Crisis?
In 2022, there were a number of food shortages, and the scarcities in the world food supply chain were influenced by a number of factors. All of these issues, while individually troubling, increase the likelihood of future food shortages.
Labor Shortages
A labor shortage appears to be one of the most enduring issues our economy has had since the pandemic. The issue is widespread, affecting almost every link in the supply chain, including pickers, packers, transport, retail, and restaurants.
Jobs with less desirable working conditions appear to have the worst labor shortages. It’s not surprising that the labor shortage is affecting our food supply given that farm labor is frequently hazardous and physically taxing work and packaging plants aren’t much better.
The fact that most fresh foods spoil easily due to transportation delays is another important consideration. In order to get them to their destination, there aren’t enough drivers, so crates of meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables have been left unmoved in a shipping container. The food that would help this problem in some cases is blatantly being thrown out.
Climate Change
Droughts, flooding, and other extreme weather events of all kinds are undoubtedly increasing, even though we may not yet be experiencing some of the most severe effects of climate change. You need only look at two of the most important farming areas in the US: the Central Valley of California and the Corn Belt in the Midwest.
Farmers are finding it nearly impossible to produce as much as they once did in California due to the severe drought conditions there. We could run into trouble if the issue isn’t fixed right away because this area is one of our top producers of dairy, berries, nuts, and vegetables.
They’re having the exact opposite issue in the Midwest. The priceless topsoil required to grow corn is being destroyed by gully washers and rising floods. The area supplies about 75% of the country’s corn needs, but since the first European settlers arrived, it has already lost about 35% of its topsoil.
As this global crisis continues to deepen and spread, similar issues are being experienced everywhere. And it’s likely that some of the harm can’t be undone right away, which could result in issues with a future global food shortage.
Cyberattacks
As the largest meatpacker in the world, JBS, was the target of a ransomware attack last year, you’ve probably heard about it. To get things back up and running, the company ultimately paid cybercriminals $11 million, but that’s far from the end of the story.
Now that it is aware of its susceptibility to cyberattacks, the food industry is beginning to adjust. The issue is that only a small number of companies provide the majority of our food supply, and many of them don’t place a high priority on cybersecurity, leaving the entire supply chain open to risk.
Scarce Packaging Materials
The lack of packaging materials is also contributing to issues, which is a concern that most people are probably not even aware of with the food industry. Producing materials is being hampered by the same labor shortages that are affecting food.
The common materials used to package our favorite foods, such as paper, plastic, glass, and others, are currently in short supply. Without these supplies, packaging facilities cannot function as intended, and goods cannot reach the shelves of supermarkets.
How To Prepare for a Food Shortage
1. Grow your own food in a garden or indoors.
Growing your own food is one way to guarantee you have access to it. There are several benefits to growing your own food. One benefit is that you are completely aware of the growing process and can steer clear of pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Furthermore, it means that you are fully aware of the quantity of fresh food that will be available.
If space is an issue or the soil is unsuitable for growing vegetables, you can grow a garden indoors or outside. Even in a neighborhood, where many people work together for the greater good and alternate caring for the plants and gathering food, a garden can be grown.
Depending on your location and climate, you can grow different kinds of crops. Even though some crops, like lettuce, kale, and spinach, can still be grown year-round in cold frames or greenhouses, some seasons are better for growing food than others. Investment potential exists for a small greenhouse.
2. Stock up on freeze-dried and canned food.
Because they are nonperishable and simple to store, canned foods are a vital component of any emergency food supply. Additionally, the majority of canned foods have a lengthy “best by” date, so you won’t have to worry about them spoiling before you need them. When purchasing canned foods, pay attention to those that are packed in their own juices and don’t have added sugars or salt. The basement or garage are good places to keep your canned goods. The attic is a bad place to store them. Food’s nutritional value will be diminished by excessive heat because it will break down food chemicals more quickly.
Foods that have been freeze-dried offer similar advantages to canned foods while taking up much less space, making them a great alternative for your emergency food storage needs. They are portable, simple to store, and have a long shelf life.
Dehydrate produce in a dehydrator or an oven that has been preheated to a low temperature if you want to create your own emergency food supply. Before storing your food, make sure that all moisture has been removed because moisture promotes the growth of bacteria. These foods can last up to five years if properly stored.
3. Ample water should be available.
You must have enough water above all else. Each person needs to drink at least one gallon of water every day. This is required for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. Remember to factor in pets when making this calculation.
Additionally, buy large containers that can hold the daily water requirements for your family as well as water purification tablets. Then, until you need them, fill up those containers with tap water, and keep them cool and out of the sun.
4. Start preparing now.
You will be ready for a food shortage if you take the proper precautions. You must start making your preparations as soon as you can. This is crucial because building up your food reserves and storing food requires time and money. You will feel less pressure when the crisis actually arises the more time you have before it starts. It is best to plan as a family to make sure that everyone’s needs are met because your family members will all have different needs.
In the event that something goes wrong with your preparations, it is also best to make long-term plans to ensure that no one goes hungry for a day or two. Always be mindful of what is practical when preparing for yourself and your loved ones; don’t try to stock your home with an endless supply of saltine crackers! Any healthy option would be to avoid doing that. Just like in most things in life, preparation is essential. Start as soon as you can.
5. Learn to cook without electricity.
Additionally, you ought to become proficient at cooking without electricity. To do this, get familiar with using a camp stove or a grill powered by propane. In order to survive a natural disaster or another emergency, you should also know how to build an outdoor kitchen.
Additionally, you might want to spend money on survival supplies like water filters, flashlights, sleeping bags, and first-aid kits. These will guarantee that you are ready for any circumstance that might arise in an emergency or disaster.
6. Reduce food waste.
It’s crucial to concentrate on efficiency when stockpiling. Making sure there is no food waste is the first step. Every year, the typical American family throws away 250 pounds of food or about one-third of what they purchase. In light of this, the following three pieces of advice will help you waste less food:
Properly store your food. Examine your refrigerator and freezer to make sure that you are storing things properly because food storage is crucial when trying to reduce waste. For instance, contrary to popular belief, potatoes should be kept in the refrigerator to preserve their freshness.
Eat leftovers. If you have extra food from meal planning or leftovers from dinner, think about designating one night a week as “Leftover Night,” when everyone in the household eats leftovers. In addition to saving you money and time in the kitchen, this can help reduce food waste!
Be aware of food deterioration. Check this website EatByDate.com for a list of shelf lives for typical household items like bread and dairy products if you are unsure how long something will last in the refrigerator or pantry. By clicking here, you can access our food storage chart for foods that have been vacuum-sealed.
Be imaginative with the protein you consume.
One of the key nutrients in your diet is protein. The production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies depends on protein, which also aids in the development of muscle and tissue repair. Although soy, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and animal products make up the majority of dietary protein, it can also be found in soy.
The cheapest sources of protein are beans and lentils, and dried versions of these foods keep well. They offer good nutrition and calories in a small package, making them one of the best foods for long-term storage.
What Foods Currently Face A Shortage?
Food Deserts
There are some places where there is always a shortage of fresh food, despite our efforts to manage temporary shortages in various areas. In these so-called “food deserts,” people do not have enough access to fresh, wholesome foods. Most locals eat fast food and other unhealthy foods as their main sources of nutrition.
Although this might seem like a problem for the developing world, it affects us heavily in the US. In fact, the USDA keeps track of the places where fresh food options are scarce and keeps a Food Access Research Atlas that lists these places. This atlas identifies areas with food deserts by correlating low income and low access and highlighting these areas. You might be shocked to see how much of our country lack access to fresh, healthy foods when you look at the map.
A Greater Global Food Shortage
Although the current shortages are difficult for many people, they might only be the beginning. We must get ready for impending global food shortages.
By the end of this summer, we’re probably going to see more empty grocery store shelves and more food inflation. The UN estimates that by the year 2020, supplies of corn and cereal will begin to diminish. Supply chain issues will probably persist for imported goods, especially those from China or Eastern Europe.
Even if things get really bad here, we probably won’t see the worst of the issues. Food crises are occurring in other countries and are likely to last for another year or more. Many other humanitarian organizations, including the World Bank, are working on solutions, but it’s unlikely that they will be able to completely fix the supply chain issues.
The fact that many nations have long-standing food insecurity problems and that the COVID-19 pandemic has made their situation worse is part of the problem.
Should I Prepare A Food Reserve?
While hoarding is not the same as stockpiling, it is always a good idea to be ready for emergencies. Having an emergency food supply that includes enough non-perishable food for several days is generally a good idea.
The amount of food you buy and store as you increase your supply should be prudent. As we saw with toilet paper at the beginning of the pandemic, hoarding excessive amounts of food can lead to additional issues in the food supply chain.
To ensure you always have options in the pantry in case of a food emergency, you might want to stock up on the following foods:
Bottled water
Shelf-stable fruits and vegetables
Beans and lentils
Rice
Nuts
Peanut butter
Shelf-stable milk
Shelf-stable meat options
Healthy oils
Food for infants and young children
Food for pets
How To Shop Responsibly
It is essential that we all act responsibly in the face of a developing crisis to prevent things from getting worse. But in light of a global food shortage, what does that mean?
First, don’t panic. Hoarding, which is detrimental to everyone, is a result of panic buying. Instead, only invest in items that you and your family can reasonably use.
Next, try to shop locally as much as you can and look for sustainable substitutes for your favorite foods. By doing this, you can avoid issues with food transportation and the climate crisis.
Last but not least, look for products with little packaging. Reduce the use of single-use plastics and look for alternatives that are refillable or reusable.
How To Avoid Another Shortage Of Food
Even though it might be too late to completely address the current food shortage concerns, we should still strive for a more sustainable future. We should concentrate our efforts on sustainable local foods because they offer an excellent solution to many issues that pose a threat to our food supply.
To eventually ensure a sustainable food supply, a variety of different agricultural practices will be required. One of the puzzle’s components, Eden Green Technology, is both environmentally friendly and functional even in the face of climate change’s numerous negative effects.
On as little as 1.5 acres, our vertical farming greenhouses can produce up to 500 tons of leafy greens, making them ideal for urban settings. Instead of using soil, they grow their plants in water that has been enriched with nutrients. Furthermore, they can thrive in any climate, season, or weather because they are completely contained and have controlled environments.
Urban agriculture, according to studies, extends the shelf life of food because it reduces the amount of time that food spends in transit, protects food from extreme temperature changes, and reduces the likelihood that it will bruise during shipping.
Each greenhouse provides 30 full-time positions with great working conditions, safety, livable pay, and year-round benefits. With an average harvest cycle of only 28 days, they are capable of producing 11–13 harvests annually.
Our hydroponic systems use 98% less water than conventional farming because we recycle the water in our systems repeatedly, which saves 99% of the land needed for traditional farming. We also use 90% less light energy than most vertical farming systems because our greenhouses use sunlight to illuminate our plants.
Finally, I also want to appeal: because the phenomenon of food shortage is becoming more and more serious, so I hope everyone can save food, and never waste it.
