Weekly Food For Thought

There has been a lot of speculation of late that the freakish weather we are experiencing across the world may lead to a repeat performance of the 2008 food crisis, which resulted in higher food prices, rioting and social unrest in more than 30 countries. As one author states, "The world is treading on dangerous ground. Market forces are in place for another global food crisis, and, as the wheels keep turning, it will become harder for these to be put in reverse."

Global rioting over food should not come as a surprise to anyone that has studied basic sociology. As Maslow taught us, food and water are primacy -- take them away or make them too expensive and you suddenly have a world of anxious people who can think of only one thing -- food. In fact, food holds such a place of honor in our social construct that many of our most ancient traditions, such as celebrating Easter, for example, are really celebrations of earthly cycles that will result in the abundance of...you guessed it, food. Easter follows the Spring equinox and recognizes the northern hemisphere's departure from winter and emergence into spring, the season of fertility, growth and abundance. Not surprisingly, Easter is celebrated with Feasts. (Come back to read our next blog titled, "It's All About Food.")

Bottom line, hungry people are unpredictable people. And given that most of us are already on tight budgets, rising food prices is something that we should be thinking about and preparing for.

Here is some Food For Thought on this important topic:

Steep Oil Prices,Food Shortages Will Likely Spark Deadly Riots This Year

7 Reasons Food Shortages Will Become a Global Crisis

On The Verge Of A Global Food Crisis

Nowhere To Hide From Rising Food Prices

Next Shock Will Be High Food Prices

Price Shocks, Food Shortages And Global Economic Riots in 2011?