Middle Class May Be Subject To Food Rations, Warns UN

reply to post by antar


Maybe you are right.

I for one was shocked to pay almost $7.00 for a gallon of milk, and it got me thinking. "I really don't pay the kind of attention to the prices I do pay , and I will be watching more closely from now on." I am a guilty American. I grab a cart at the supermarket, fill it with the comforts that I enjoy, and wait for a total. I wouldn't know when to buy something that's on sale.

Honestly, I have been having more and more worries about what I have left at the end of each month, and for the last 3, I have had less each one. No elaborate purchase, just gas, food, utilities, mortgage.

Luckily, I have a great boss, and we just worked a deal on my house, and he said if things get tight, let us know. I'm a lucky person, but what about the fixed income people, or large families?

reply to post by Wildbob77


Years ago I did a huge stock of dry goods like beans, rice, flour, peas, pancake batter, you name it. I sealed completely, I mean for sure, and I discovered that these little weevil type moths had invaded the stores... True, it came from the store this way. Becoming aware of this I began to test my theory out with many products and low and behold they all eventually had the same problem. Contamination of the foods, and what is bad is that the food looks ok at first, but the bugs eat at the inside of the foods, so it is not detected. Cereals, crackers, completely sealed contents. It is in the food itself. So if you store be aware of this. Genetically modified foods, ya think? I should have the bugs tested. Wonder if they have human DNA?

[edit on 25-2-2008 by antar]

reply to post by antar


It is possible for dry goods to have issues. That's why I prefer canned goods and I'm learning how to can next years garden harvest in jars. Chickens are going in next. Sustainability is going to be key. Time to relearn the Old Ways.

Wow, I never expected this out of this thread. But all I have left to say after reading each and every one of your replies is this.....I cannot believe that a certain few think that it is not that bad here in the US. Anyone look at Youngstown Ohio lately? And since when have wages been keeping up with inflation...I must be living in another dimension or something. My wife and I are both in the medical field. She is an Occupational therapist with a Master's and I am a cytogeneticist (title is actually fancier than the job) and together we make around 80k. I have been in my field for 12 years and have yet to crack 40k. So how you can figure wages are keeping up is beyond me. Unless you are a doctor or a nurse, you are screwed in the medical field....and to be honest, doctors now a days pay so much in malpractice insurance, their salaries do not seem as large anymore either. A really good doctor friend of mine owns two Ford focus vehicles. He makes close to 200k/year. He is all about politics and such, and when he actually comments on how it is getting more and more difficult to pay for everything, I take heed. He is one of the most frugal people I have ever met.
I have one little one at home and one who lives with her mom out of state. I pay 200 a week child support, 200-300 a month just for heat, about 100 a week just for gas in wife's car ( 4 banger nissan altima)as she has to drive house to house to treat kids, 600/month car payments (almost over thank god), 500-600 month diapers, food. 145/week childcare (rather cheap), 750/month rent, one credit card each (low balances), student loan 177/month. Not to mention clothing and other incurred expenses. All of this is just to live. So how you come up with your assertion that things are not that bad is way beyond me. We have done nothing wrong as far as credit cards, over extending, etc. I am by no means looking for pity, I just can't buy the fact that people think things are not that bad. I guess if it doesn't affect you, you just do not see it. That's too bad IMO cause if you had to live it, you may open your eyes to the reality of those who bust their humps just to feel like we are surviving. BTW, fun for us has pretty much gone out the window. What you read from me is pretty much the extent of my "fun".
I will be taking up gardening this year without a doubt!!!!

Oh yeah, one last thing.....I know the article doesn't say "in the US", but it is very relevant to our current situation in this country. So, with that being said, if this once Great Nation does go in the crapper completely and we are a third world nation, "jurisdiction" will have no meaning when it comes to the UN.

[edit on 2/25/2008 by palehorse23]

reply to post by seawolf197


I am one of those large families on a limited income. I have been discussing this before it was apparent to most, talking to all that would listen. I am certain that the products began inching up slowly at first, sneaking in the back door so to speak, then one day it became obvious that they were not inching, but jumping 50cents here, 25cents there, at some point it became shameless, a dollar here, 2 dollars there and on up. I knew when the same purchases I have always made went up even by cents, and now it is by dollars. I am not a materialist, but I certainly love the comforts of warmth, cleanliness and a full bounty. So for the past 10 years I have been fumbling through attempting organic growing to simply supplement my families budget. Now I am having to depend on what I grow. It is very difficult when insect species are being brought over the border in these franken foods, and they settle on our crops here in the US. Each year we are dealing with the rising costs of canning supplies to the point it is NOT cost effective to purchase new stuff. Rumors of making our natural organic farms illegal, even for our own families? You really should begin to grow container foods off of your balcony, it is as simple as having house plants and sometimes easier. Yes, just wanted to tell you I definitely noticed the rising costs of my purchases. I worry sometimes if I can afford to wipe our buts and clean our clothes.

reply to post by HimWhoHathAnEar


Keep looking for old stuff for canning at flea markets and such, it is not cost effective to buy new AND the krud that is coming out of China is made not to last. Amazing I am using my great grandmas pots pans and canning stuff, all the rest falls apart and or is so thin it begins to leak after a good season of canning.

Anytime you can buy glass jars that you can save for canning and steer clear of canned goods if you are looking for any nutritional content.

reply to post by antar


Wow, that hit a home run with me.

About a year ago, my mom passed on, and she left me her pressure canner. I learned everything about how to use it, and started putting up some jars. I was shocked to find out that a trip to Costco would bring home twice the amount of food for the same dollars.

reply to post by Digital Deviance


$6.98 was convenience store pricing, but I still paid it for the convenience of not running all the way to Krogers. However, at $3.25 per gallon of gas to get there, I'm not sure where I would have saved.

Check out this article I just found at NY times.

In a few places the price increases have led to violence. In Yemen, prices for bread and other foods have nearly doubled in the past four months, setting off a string of demonstrations and riots in which at least a dozen people were killed. In Morocco, 34 people were sentenced to prison on Wednesday for participating in riots over food prices, the Moroccan state news service reported. Even tightly controlled Jordan has had nonviolent demonstrations and strikes.

Food Riots

It's already starting to happen people. It may not be in the US yet, but keep your eyes open.


[edit on 2/25/2008 by palehorse23]

reply to post by Blaine91555


Oh I know Im only 26 so I had to learn the hard way but ive learned my lesson I just wish I would of learned when the economy was good. I would of been more prepared.

You can nitro pack your own food easily and cheaply. Just get those 5 gallon buckets, throw a few bay leaves in the bottom of the bucket (bug prevention), add wheat/rice/beans/whatever and throw a chunk of dry ice on top. The oxygen gets pushed out (have to "burp" the lid frequently) and you're left with nitro packed food.

You can get a 3 pound can of non-hybrid seeds for around $80.00 that should be enough seeds to last you quite a while.

It will all be somewhat of a moot point if the government decides that you're not allowed to keep more than a 2 week supply of food in your house before being labeled "a bunker". Or if the military decides that your hard-earned rations are needed to feed the military during their urban take-over. I wouldn't order anything by credit card. Pay for your buckets and #50 sacks of food with cash and don't tell your friends and neighbors.

Start growing a garden outdoors and the hungry neighbors will raid it. Start growing one indoors and the electric company will notice your spike in usage and make a call to the DEA assuming that you've got a home-grown marijuana plantation in your living room.

Best to quietly stash as much as you can and ride out the storm as long as you can. Time to start shedding those unwanted pounds. When everyone around you is starting to look a little thin, you don't want to stand out as having too much meat on your bones.

I feel sorry for the Mormons. Everyone knows that they all have food stashed. If things get ugly (food wise), they'll be the first hit. Not by me, of course, but undoubtedly by all the people who didn't prepare for themselves.

The Hydroponic Hothouse: Low-Cost, High-Yield Greenhouse Gardening: James B. Dekorne

How to Grow More Vegetables

More on Hydroponics

There are ways to subvert the commercial food industry, just takes a little patience and work.

reply to post by bubbabuddha


Thanks for the links bubba. Great info for those of us looking to learn.

I heard the price of wheat had gone up a lot. Other than that, I haven't noticed too much of a price increase yet when I go buy groceries where I live at. Although I have noticed I got lucky and live in one of the lowest cost of living areas I think in the entire US. Maybe a rumor that the area I live in has become one of the hottest micro markets in the South East means a lot of people are starting to move here. I heard today that gas prices may be as high as $4.00 by summer on average. It's going to seem very high here when I see a $3.00 price for regular unleaded. It's only a few cents away now.

Just a little helpful hint for anyone new to planting gardens, don't burn the plants with too much fertilizer or the plants will just die. I saw a neighbor kill multiple trees from the nursery by putting too much fertilizer in the ground. Some people don't have a clue. If the soil is rich with nutrients, the plants will grow a lot faster and produce a lot more fruit than with ordinary dirt.

I think US farmers can grow a lot more food than they are currently growing. However their costs are increasing a lot too I believe. I believe wheat prices are going up a lot because farmers planted less so that they could sell more corn since it was selling for more and being used to make ethanol.

Tomato plants seem to grow better in the ground than in a large pot. I believe they can draw up more nutrients and water from the ground. My mother tried growing some in a pot last year and they didn't grow as well and required constant watering. It would be nice if someone perfected a hydroponics type of automatic system like I saw at the Epcot Center at Disney many years ago. Then put all that in a pot at a reasonable price.

I just want to point out that according to the article sourced by the OP, the "middle class" peopple who will be experiencing food shortages are the middle class in developing countries...not countries like the US and UK, EU, etc.

"The WFP crisis talks come as the body sees the emergence of a “new area of hunger” in developing countries where even middle-class, urban people are being “priced out of the food market” because of rising food prices," reports the Financial Times.

Did any of the people telling others to "stock up while they can" on food "while they can still afford it" even read the article? Yes, food prices have risen marginally in North America, along with prices in general including the cost of living and doing business. Inflation affects the price of everything...I hope you're not just now noticing this.

I just want to point out that according to the article sourced by the OP, the "middle class" peopple who will be experiencing food shortages are the middle class in developing countries...not countries like the US and UK, EU, etc.

"The WFP crisis talks come as the body sees the emergence of a “new area of hunger” in developing countries where even middle-class, urban people are being “priced out of the food market” because of rising food prices," reports the Financial Times.

Did any of the people telling others to "stock up while they can" on food "while they can still afford it" even read the article? Yes, food prices have risen marginally in North America, along with prices in general including the cost of living and doing business. Inflation affects the price of everything...I hope you're not just now noticing this.

reply to post by sc2099


Did you read any of the other posts? "Your" response was already posted early on and it also was responded to. We realize what the article is about. The discussion is to be aware of the situation and to prepare for it potentially extending to the US given the current economic status.
Nice try though

[edit on 2/25/2008 by palehorse23]

Here is a BBC news video from today about the subject. They seem to be leaning more toward rationing for those who rely on food aide, and higher prices for the rest of us.

Starred and flagged for lots of good info, especially on growing your own food.

Originally posted by palehorse23
reply to post by sc2099

 

Did you read any of the other posts? "Your" response was already posted early on and it also was responded to. We realize what the article is about. The discussion is to be aware of the situation and to prepare for it potentially extending to the US given the current economic status.
Nice try though

[edit on 2/25/2008 by palehorse23]

Well I did read about 3 pages into the thread, but I couldn't stomach all the whining and fearmongering so I just skipped to the end to make my point. As far as posting an opinion that's already been stated, lol well I think everyone complaining about food prices can safely assume their point has already been made. I'm glad there's someone out there with common sense enough to agree with me though, even though I won't be dredging through the rest of the posts to find out who it was. Whoever it was, I'm giving them an imaginary star.

The concensus seems to be to grow your own produce and buy in bulk. Seems to me everyone has the solution figured out. After all, this isn't Zimbabwe and there isn't 500% interest to deal with.

The price of steaks makes me weep.
Hamburger is a luxury item.
Chicken (yuck) not cheap
Pork- so so still, but how much can you eat??

I do better buying shrimp and making different meals, and also making home made pizza!!!

I can make good pizza!