Food Shortages Around the World

I thought I'd share this link with everyone. In my opinion, I think this is an eye opener to the U.S. Please don't think it can't happen to us, because it can. After the flooding in the Midwest, the drought in the Southwest, and the hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast region, an upcoming food shortage is looming for the United States. Our government WILL NOT take care of us, so please don't get complacent. I urge everyone to get busy and make sure you have enough on hand to feed your family. Time is getting short.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081121/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_haiti_food_crisis

United States

The global food price crisis has appeared in the U.S.A. as the rice shortage^{[citation needed]}. The retail prices of food in the U.S. increased four percent according to the Consumer Price Index in 2007, the largest increase in 17 years. The USDA Economic Research Service predicted that prices would increase another three to four percentage points throughout 2008.^[85]

In April 2008 Sam's Club instituted a limit on how much long-grain white rice that restaurant and retail customers could purchase due to shortages. Purchases of other types of rice were not restricted. A May 2008 national survey found that food banks and pantries across the U.S. were being forced to cut back on food distribution as 99 percent of respondents reported an increase in the number of people requesting services. Rising food and fuel prices, inadequate food stamp benefits, unemployment, underemployment, and rent or mortgage costs were factors reported as forcing an average of 15-20 percent more people. Compounding this issue, USDA bonus foods have declined by $200 million and local food donations were down nationally about 9 percent over the same period. According to the California Association of Food Banks, which is an umbrella organization of nearly all food banks in the state, food banks are at the “beginning of a crisis.”