London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jun 30, 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
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
×