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Thursday, Sep 3, 2020

Can food insecurity rise even amid plentiful agricultural output?

Jacqueline Agustin, Gigafact Foundry
yes

Food insecurity refers to the availability of affordable, nutritious food for everyone, not to absolute agricultural output or other supply measures. It has gained attention as a side effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the U.S., the Center for Strategic and International Studies says demand at food banks in May was 70% higher than a year earlier. In April, more than 40% of households in the U.S. with children aged 12 or younger reported household food insecurity, the Brookings Institution reported.

Globally, despite production of staple crops such as rice and wheat at or near all-time highs, disruption of domestic supply chains caused by measures taken to combat the coronavirus has led to inflated food prices. The World Bank and other global organizations cite these factors in calling for "decisive collective action" to address the threat of rising food insecurity.

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