London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 2025

The world is facing an unprecedented hunger crisis

The world is facing an unprecedented hunger crisis

COVID-19 could double the number of people experiencing food insecurity globally thanks to rising food prices, unemployment and strain on food programmes

Since the first wave of COVID-19, food banks have been overwhelmed. Consumer Report’s new publication suggests things are getting dire: one in five Americans has now turned to a food pantry, food bank or community food distribution at some point since the pandemic began – a 50% increase. Almost 10% of parents with children under five years of age reported high rates of very high food insecurity. This is a public health concern.

Globally, food costs have risen for four straight months as countries begin to stockpile. Individuals too are hoarding staples as they stay indoors, clearing shelves at local grocery stores. Despite stable global food prices, numerous countries have experienced a varying level of inflation at the consumer level. These rising food prices have a more significant impact on vulnerable communities since they spend a larger portion of their income on food.


How Americans have stocked up on food during COVID-19


Unemployment and the increase in the cost of food make buying food difficult for more families. With winter coming, families must decide between keeping the lights on or feeding their families. According to the Household Pulse survey, the number of parents with children younger than five who reported that their children weren’t eating enough is at a historic high.

The loss of childcare and meals provided for free or at a reduced cost at school has exacerbated many families' food insecurity. As schools close, millions of kids, many families are losing their access to free or reduced-cost food programmes that these schools provide. In the US, about 35 million people face hunger – roughly the population of Canada. Food insecurities in families with children have more than tripled to 29.5% according to researchers at Northwestern.

The UN World Food Programme has warned that an additional 130 million people could face acute food insecurity by the end of 2020, because of income and remittance losses. This is in addition to the 135 million people who were already acutely food insecure before the crisis

As always, the people who had fewer means before an economic downturn suffer more during downturns and for longer. The crisis is worse for people of colour. More than a third of Black Americans and 22% of Hispanics have used a food pantry, food bank or community food distribution during the pandemic.


Perception of increased food prices during the COVID-19 pandemic


But to counter the usual narrative, at Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief not-for-profit in the US, 40% of visitors between March and June 2020 were new, says Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Katie Fitzgerald.

There are immediate and long-term consequences from inadequate nutrition. Many families will go hungry this Thanksgiving. If you have the means, support the mutual aid organizations in your neighbourhood. These hyper-local community-based networks can offer immediate support and relief to families in need. Many local food banks and pantries are also struggling under this additional strain, do your research and help wherever and however you can.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×