How can we protect ourselves from the coming Food Price crisis?
A new Food price crisis is feared as erratic weather wreaks havoc on crops in the USA and around the world. Here are some ways we can protect ourselves from price hikes.
Experts are already predicting a large rise in food prices as rain in this country has caused fungal disease in wheat crops, and in America, drought has reduced Corn yields leading to a sharp rise in all grain prices.
These rises will soon increase the price of bread and cereals and then meat, as the grain to feed animals rises.
I think it is extremely irresponsible of governments around the world not to stockpile grain for times like these. Grain stocks will be at the lowest since 2007 with only enough for 72 days consumption.
So after you have told your local MP to store more grain, here are some ideas on how we can protect ourselves from global price increases.
Walsingham Farm Shop
1. Buy local seasonal food
You need to avoid buying any food that will be affected by global commodity prices. Unfortunately any animals fed grain (chickens, pigs, some cattle, some sheep) will also see prices rise. So find meat from animals fed on grass, which will have more flavour and have a great deal less dangerous fats. For more on the dangers of grain fed beef click here.
Other products like potatoes and seasonal veg should be the same as usual, so significant savings can be made.
2. Make your own bread
Bread prices will rise as the cost of wheat rises. The price of a loaf however will rise my much more than the flour ingredient. You will also be able to avoid all the additives in bread. For more on Real Bread click here.
Or to buy flour in our MarketPlace here
No Cows, No countryside
3. Eat less meat or cheaper cuts
To buy grass fed meat and cover the extra costs of food you may not be able to do without, like pasta, cut down on the amount of meat you buy, or get cheaper cuts. A grass fed, well hung, topside of beef from your local farmer or butcher will be cheaper and much better than a supermarket sirloin joint, that was mooing in an intensive stock shed the day before. To find you local meat producer or butcher type you post code in to our local food map
4. Grow your own
This is really cheap food and a possible earner when you sell your excess via our Crop for the Shop scheme.
5. Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk will often mean a wholesale price 50% of retail. Why not get some friends organised and share your bulk purchases.
6. Cook
Anyone who can read, or even watch a video, can cook. ‘Cook’ means converting cheap, fresh, local, season, healthy, ingredients in to great meals. I made 10 times the quantity of vegetable soup for the same price as one can of soup yesterday. And ended up with a healthier meal.
Ready meals in the supermarket might look cheap but are NOT. For a video recipe see our KIS (Keep it Simple) Cookery video section. Or perhaps, be discovered, and become the next famous chef by adding your own video!
If you have any thoughts or ideas to add to this list please comment below.