Latest figures show America leads all the other G7 members in food insecurity. A new worldwide Gallup poll reveals fully 26 percent of Americans were unable to afford sufficient food at least once over the past 12 months…
‘Class Photo’ of representatives at the latest G7 conclave…
The standings
The Gallup survey is tellingly titled, ‘US: Leader or Loser in the G7?’ And it probed folks’ views on more than just food security. Suffice it to say – for purposes of our food-focused forum – that the US also ranked poorly on other major confidence indicators including their trust in their legal system, their government and their military.
Food is basic
One thing economic and social observers seem to agree on is, food is the most basic indicator of the strength of the people.
The Gallup poll pains a stark picture: “Every year since 2009, the U.S. has been at the top (or tied at the top) of the G7 for inability to afford food at times in the previous year. Last year, more than one in four Americans (26 percent) struggled to afford food at times, far above second-place Canada (17 percent).”
The other G7 members came in somewhat lower on the food crisis list. France clocked in at 15 percent, Italy at 14 percent and Germany at 13 percent. Only the UK (9 percent) and Japan (8 percent) registered in the single digits.
The UK numbers for folks unable to afford enough food over the past year seem to belie the constant stream of media stories we’ve been seeing, claiming that Britain has been one of the hardest-hit economies among the world’s largest. But that’s an issue that, strictly speaking, falls outside the purview of this post…
The economic ‘reality’
Most recent statistics show that food price inflation is moderating, bit by bit, In Europe and North America. But prices are still rising. Just not as fast as they were a year ago.
The grassroots reality
Grassroots movements, such as the Loblaw’s Boycott set for next month across Canada, are evidence that the average consumer isn’t feeling any significant food price relief. And some folks at the sharp end of the affordability crisis are mad as Hell, and not going to take it anymore.
To no one’s surprise, the hard line towards grocers taken last year by the Canadian government has not produced any significant results.
Another hard truth is, food bank visits across North America have continued to soar over the past year, pushing more marginal income families below the poverty line.
My take
In spite of official reassurances, discontent about high food prices continues to simmer, and the sustainability picture is steadily worsening.
Will the ‘shame’ implied by America’s position at the bottom of the sustainability ladder spur any real action toward fixing the situation?
~ Maggie J.