Becca Wolford, Contributing Writer
There are indications (and there have been for a while) that we are entering a stage where food will be in short supply in some regions of our world, and in other areas it will be in
Becca Wolford, Contributing Writer
There are indications (and there have been for a while) that we are entering a stage where food will be in short supply in some regions of our world, and in other areas it will be in abundance, but just too expensive to buy.
Right now our grocery stores are filled with food, but most of it is packaged, processed, chemical-laden junk. Yes, some of it is cheap, but it isn’t ‘food’, it’s simply packages of unhealthy empty calories. Good nutrition is of utmost importance, yet many are finding it difficult to find nutritious food that they can afford.
I’ve seen longer and longer lines at the food banks, but most of that is canned, packaged, unhealthy food, with only a fraction being healthy fruits and vegetables and fresh meat.
There are 2 terms we to look at here : world hunger (lack of food) and malnutrition (lack of nutritional elements needed for good health).
There are two basic types of malnutrition. The first and most important is protein-energy malnutrition–the lack of enough protein (from meat and other sources) and food that provides energy (measured in calories) which all of the basic food groups provide. This is the type of malnutrition that is referred to when world hunger is discussed. The second type of malnutrition, also very important, is micronutrient (vitamin and mineral) deficiency. This is not the type of malnutrition that is referred to when world hunger is discussed, though it is certainly very important.
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is the most lethal form of malnutrition/hunger. It is basically a lack of calories and protein. Food is converted into energy by humans, and the energy contained in food is measured by calories. Protein is necessary for key body functions including provision of essential amino acids and development and maintenance of muscles.(www.worldhunger.org)
Childhood malnutrition alone affects approximately 19,000,000 children worldwide. And this includes the United States. Children and families in our own country are HUNGRY.
There are many factors that contribute to the global food crisis, here are a few:
Changing weather patterns, drought
Rising food prices – wheat, soybeans, orange juice and corn prices are getting higher and higher
Depleted water tables
Higher cost of oil – the higher the oil cost, the higher the food prices (transportation, farm equipment, delivery)
Let’s look at corn, for example. The price of corn has doubled since last year. 40% of the US corn crop is consumed by the heavily subsidised biofuel industry, despite the presence of viable non-food materials such as hemp. (opendemocracy.net)
Corn- ethanol subsidies in the US….leads to farmers switching to corn production and convertion away from food and toward fuel production, which has resulted in more expensive grain prices around the world. This is having a huge impact on both poor and rich world farmers, and consumers around the world.
1. By Washington giving subsidies for ethanol, they are creating incentives for farmers to shift labor away from producing food, and toward making fuel.
2. And, they are giving farmers of other crops the incentive to switch production to corn (for fuel)
3. this has the perverse effect of driving up food prices (less supply vs. demand). Note: corn is used to make high fructose corn syrup (in almost all foods), and is a key feedstock for animals, so it will cost more for steak, pork, etc. Ethanol production has driven up the prices of corn-fed livestock, such as beef, chicken and dairy products, and products made from corn, such as cereals. As a result of higher demand for corn, other grain prices, such as soybean and wheat, have risen dramatically. The fact that the U.S. is the world’s largest grain producer and exporter means that the ethanol-induced higher grain prices will have a worldwide impact on food prices. (kookyplan.pbworks.com)
Another note about corn – Currently, up to 85 percent of U.S. corn is genetically engineered as are 91 percent of soybeans and 88 percent of cotton (cottonseed oil is often used in food products). It has been estimated that upwards of 70 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves–from soda to soup, crackers to condiments–contain genetically engineered ingredients. (truefoodnow.org)
Now, let’s look at hemp. Hemp can be grown for food AND fuel. It grows even in poor soil – in fact, it ENRICHES the soil that it is grown in. Hemp can be used as feedstock as well. Farming hemp can be dual-purpose – as a cash crop AND as fuel and food for the farmers themselves and their livestock.
As far as a nutritional aspect, protein malnutrition would not even be a problem with hemp. Hemp has edestin protein, the protein closest to human globulin, so it is easily digestible. Only a few tablespoons a day would fill dietary protein needs. In addition, hemp has Omega fatty acids needed for optimum health, as well as chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals.
Hemp does not need fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. It is clean, natural, healthy, nutritious FOOD!
I have personally found that when I eat hemp during the day with plenty of fruit and vegetables, I need no other foods, and I am not hungry, or am I craving the garbage (sugar, sweets, salty snacks). My body feels clean, energized, and healthy (as well as my mind). Yes, hempseeds (because they are imported) can be a little expensive. But I SAVE money on groceries when I eat hemp, because it is so nutrient dense. Aside from purchasing fruits and 