When the world food crisis reached its peak in 2008, most Americans were far too busy grumbling over the rising prices at the gas pump to notice that we had our very own American food crisis developing here at home, and according to experts, America’s food crisis is far from over.

We think of America as the land of plenty, the land of excess, and so far, as a country, we have been able to avoid the type of social unrest and rioting which was so commonplace in Third World countries during the food shortages of 2008, but unless we learn a lesson from the rest of the world, and address some of the main causes which led to those shortages and high prices, it is not implausible that America could indeed be looking at much the same.

Americas Food Crisis: Is It Possible?

Not only is the America food crisis possible, it’s already here. In 2007-2008, and continuing to this day, the price of food in this country has risen dramatically, with the price of some food sources, like wheat and rice, rising close to 150 percent over what they were just six years ago. For most Americans this merely equates to an inconvenience, but for poorer families, those who spend a greater percentage of their income on food, this can mean doing without and going hungry. So the question is this: If food prices go even higher in 2010/2011—like many experts believe may happen due to sustained inclement weather in some of the most bountiful farming states—is it possible that turmoil can erupt here at home as people become hungrier and more frustrated? It’s a real possibility and one to be considered very thoughtfully.

Americas Food Crisis: The Causes

Most Americans believe that the rising cost of food in 2007-2008 was merely a product of higher fuel costs which were uniformly passed on to the consumer, and while that certainly contributed to the problem, it was certainly not the only reason. The production of biofuels, which has rapidly become a huge global business, has increased the demand for many grain products and driven up the price of these staple foods. America is also exporting significantly more grain than it used to. As diets change around the world—including the addition of more beef, which, of course, takes more grain to feed—there is a higher demand for staple grain products, which invariably leads to higher prices.

Americas Food Crisis: Conclusion

When it comes to the food prices crisis, America needs to rid itself of the “it’s not my problem” attitude merely because the problem—so far at least—has not reached disastrous proportions within our borders. It’s true that the American food crisis, at present, is hardest felt by those with limited resources—the poor, the elderly, the homeless, etc.—but unless proactive steps are taken both agriculturally and politically to help stem the problem now, the civil unrest and turmoil that could erupt will undoubtedly be felt by all.