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You may have already noticed food prices climbing. A pint of berries that used to be $3.99 is suddenly $5.99. A pound of butter that was once routinely on sale for under five dollars is now closer to seven. What’s going on?
Global food prices are rising, and after decades of North Americans becoming accustomed to affordable food relative to other costs of living, we’re justifiably startled — and concerned for what it might mean for efforts to eradicate hunger for those among us who are most in need.
Today in The Conversation Canada, Evan Fraser of the University of Guelph and Lenore Newman of the University of The Fraser Valley delve into the North American history of food inflation, and explain that soaring food prices can be avoided via technological innovations and sound public policy.
They write: “We must capitalize on the technology that can help us change the way we produce food. And we can never forget the importance of public policy to ensure there’s a fair price put on things such as biodiversity, climate change, human labour and animal welfare.”
Also today:
Regards,
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Food prices are poised to become higher post-pandemic. But using technology smartly and humanely can put the brakes to food price inflation.
(Pixabay)
Evan Fraser, University of Guelph; Lenore Newman, University of The Fraser Valley
How to keep food prices down? Use technology to change the way we produce food and public policy to ensure there's a fair price put on things like climate change, human labour and animal welfare.
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