Latest Weather Report On Food

USA:Oil is up about 50% for 2008 (w/oil at about $140’s range). Since a very high percentage (80-90%) of world food production is oil dependent , its probably not irrational to think of oil as food.

WORLD: A number of Gulf Oil States and Egypt are apparently looking outside their own borders for agricultural/food production and security. The countries mentioned in the article we read included Thailand, Pakistan, and Sudan .

GERMAN CHANCELLOR MERKEL: Said in a six page letter to her counterparts in the G-8, that sudden rises in food prices “… endanger democracy, destabilize nations, and lead to international security problems.”

INTERNATIONAL WORLD BANK study (as yet unpublished) as well as the British Gallagher Report (also as yet unpublished) both say that plant and bio-fuel production have substantially (75%!?) pushed up food prices while the U.S., EU and Britain have plans for major increases in plant and bio- fuel production in the future.

BEGINNING PREPAREDNESS: A food assurance program thru home food storage

It’s probably accurate to say that most U.S. households have little or no home food storage preparations. A quick look at current conditions such as rising unemployment rates, national and international financial uncertainly, rapidly rising food and fuel prices, as well as possible geo-political up-heavels all seem to argue for a robust home food storage program. But how to begin?

FOOD STORAGE PRINCIPLES; SID

• SIMPLE: Begin with foods you regularly eat, especially those requiring little or no preparation.
• INEXPENSIVE: Shop competitively and strive to stay within your budget.
• DO-ABLE: Set up a limited goal for your first step such a three-day supply of food and water for each family member (don’t forget the pets) . Give yourself thirty days to reach this goal.

FOUR THINGS: four items you’ll want to have before you begin.

1. A dedicated space within your home to store your preparation items that is dry, cool (away from any heat source such as a stove or hot-water heater) and dark (the bottom of a pantry or closet would do).
2. A pen or pencil.
3. A notebook.
4. A permanent marker.

In our next post, July 11, we’ll discuss more about SID and the FOUR THINGS (as well as the weather of course).

Meanwhile, keep your eyes on the horizon.