Photo: Elliot Fais

Is the world running out of food supply?

There have been several food shortages in 2022, with several factors influencing the scarcities in the global food supply chain. While any one of these problems could be cause for concern, all of them together add up to the likelihood of further food shortages coming down the line.

edengreen.com - How to Prepare for a Global Food Shortage (2022) | Eden Green

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In just about every industry globally, the recent pandemic has caused shortages, supply chain disruptions, and other frustrations. The global food supply is no different. Add in a war ravaging a region once called “the breadbasket of Europe,” and we have a challenging situation. But what can be done about it? Read on to find out.

What Is Causing the Food Crisis?

Climate Change

While we may not be seeing some of the most dire effects of climate change just yet, there’s no question that droughts, flooding, and extreme weather of all sorts are on the rise. Look no further than two of the US’s leading farm regions, the Midwestern corn belt and California’s central valley, to see the effects already being felt. In California, extreme drought conditions are making it nearly impossible for farmers to produce as much as they once did. This region is one of our top producers of vegetables, berries, nuts, and dairy, so we could be in trouble if the problem isn’t rectified soon. In the Midwest, they’re experiencing an opposite problem. Increasing floods and “gully washers” are stripping away the precious topsoil needed to produce corn. The region produces about 75% of the nation’s corn supply, and since the Europeans first colonized the area, it has already lost about 35% of its topsoil. Similar problems are being experienced worldwide as this global crisis continues to develop and expand. And it’s likely that some of the damage done can’t be corrected quickly, possibly leading to global food shortage problems for years to come.

Cyberattacks

You probably heard about last year’s ransomware attack on JBS, the world's biggest meatpacker. The company eventually paid cybercriminals $11 million to get things back up and running, but that’s hardly the end of the story. The food industry is now coming to terms with its vulnerabilities to cyberattacks. The problem is that so much of our food supply comes from just a few companies, and many of them haven’t prioritized cybersecurity, leaving the entire supply chain vulnerable.

Labor shortages

The pandemic exposed many problems in our economy, and one of the most lasting seems to be a labor shortage. The problem is far-reaching, affecting nearly every piece of the supply chain from pickers to packers, transportation to retail to restaurants. The jobs seeing the worst shortages seem to be those with less desirable working conditions. Since farm labor is often dangerous and back-breaking work and packaging plants aren’t much better, it’s no surprise that the labor shortage is causing problems for our food supply. Another major factor is that most fresh foods are perishable, meaning that any delay in transportation can lead to spoilage. Crates of meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables have been left sitting in a shipping container because there aren’t enough drivers to move them to their destination. In some cases, the food needed to remedy this situation is literally being thrown away.

Scarce packaging materials

Finally, a concern that most people are likely not even thinking about with the food industry, a shortage of packaging supplies is causing further problems. The labor shortages that impact foods are also causing problems for materials producers. Paper, plastic, glass, and other common materials used to package our favorite foods are all currently in short supply. Without these supplies, packaging plants can’t operate the way they’re supposed to, and products don’t make it onto grocery store shelves.

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What Foods Are in Shortage Right Now?

In today’s market, there are several items you may have trouble finding at your local stores. There are also smaller, regional shortages due to breakdowns in transportation. If you watch the news or have a little one at home, you’ve probably heard about the baby formula shortage across the US. After a huge recall of several popular brands and the temporary closing of a major production facility, stock of this vital product has dwindled. Despite bringing in millions of bottles of formula from overseas, the problem seems to be worsening. Some types of pet foods, too, are in short supply today. Aluminum can shortages are wreaking havoc on the industry, as pet food packaging takes a back seat to human foods that need the same materials. Bare shelves are becoming a serious problem for pet owners whose cats and dogs are too picky to eat a different brand or who have medical issues requiring a specific type of food.

Food Deserts

While we attempt to cope with temporary shortages in various areas, there are some places where fresh food is always in a shortage. These food deserts, as they have been labeled, are areas where the population does not have adequate access to fresh, healthy foods. Typically, residents live on a diet of fast food and other unhealthy options. While this may seem like a third-world problem, it’s actually a significant issue right here in the US. In fact, the USDA maintains a Food Access Research Atlas, detailing the areas where fresh food options are few and far between. This atlas correlates low income and low access, and shows areas where these two factors combine to form food deserts. Looking at the map, you might be surprised to see just how much of our country lacks access to fresh, healthy foods.

Is a Larger Global Food Shortage Coming?

While the shortages we’re seeing now make life difficult for many, they may be only the beginning. Global food shortages are coming, and we need to be prepared. We’re likely to see more empty grocery store shelves and more food inflation by the end of this summer. The UN predicts that cereal and corn will start running out next year. Imported goods, particularly those coming from China or Eastern Europe, will likely continue to see supply chain problems. As bad as things may get here, we’re unlikely to see the worst of the problems. Other nations are experiencing food crises and will probably continue to do so for the next year or more. The World Bank is working on responses, as are several other humanitarian organizations, but it’s unlikely they will be able to alleviate the supply chain problems completely. Part of the issue is that many countries have been experiencing food insecurity for years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated their plight.

Should I Stockpile for Food Shortages?

It’s always good to be prepared in case of an emergency, but stockpiling is not the same thing as hoarding. In general, it’s a good idea to have an emergency food supply that includes several days of non-perishable foods. While you build up your stockpile of food, be reasonable in the amount you’re purchasing and storing. Hoarding too much food can cause further problems in the food supply chain, as we saw with toilet paper at the start of the pandemic.

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Here are some foods you might consider stocking up on to ensure you’ve always got options in the pantry in the event of a food emergency:

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

In the face of an impending crisis, it’s vital that we each behave responsibly to keep from worsening the situation. But what does that mean in light of a global food shortage?

First, don’t panic. Panic buying leads to hoarding, and as discussed above, that’s not good for anyone. Instead, only purchase what you and your family will reasonably use. Next, look for sustainable alternatives to your favorite foods and shop locally as much as possible. This way, you’ll avoid the problems related to the transportation of food and the climate crisis. Finally, try to purchase goods that use minimal packaging. Cut back on single-use plastics and look for refillable or reusable alternatives.

How to Avoid Another Shortage of Food

While it may be too late to preempt the current food shortage concerns completely, we should be working toward a more sustainable future. Sustainable local foods are an excellent way to solve many of the problems that threaten our food supply, so that’s where we should focus our efforts. A variety of different agricultural methods will be necessary to ultimately secure a sustainable food supply. Eden Green Technology has one piece of the puzzle that is both sustainable and able to function despite problems related to climate change and its far-reaching effects. Our vertical farming greenhouses can grow up to 500 tons of leafy greens on as little as an acre and a half and are perfect for urban environments. They use no soil, instead growing plants in water with added nutrients. And since they’re fully contained, with controlled environments, they can thrive regardless of the climate, season, or weather conditions. Studies show that urban agriculture improves shelf life for groceries as they spend less time in transit, avoid extreme temperature fluctuations, and are less likely to bruise from shipping. Each greenhouse offers 30 full-time jobs with excellent and safe working conditions, living wages, and full benefits year-round. They can produce 11-13 harvests a year, with an average harvest cycle of just 28 days. In addition to using 99% less land than traditional farming, our hydroponic systems also use 98% less water by repeatedly recycling the water in our systems. And since our greenhouses use sunlight to light our plants, we use 90% less light energy than most vertical farming systems.

edengreen.com - How to Prepare for a Global Food Shortage (2022) | Eden Green

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