‘High food prices are the biggest challenge the world food programme has faced in it’s 45 year history, a silent tsunami threatening to plunge more than 100 million people on every continent into hunger’
WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran
World food prices have risen significantly in a single year and look as though they will continue to do so. From March 2007 to March 2008 the increases have been calculated as follows:
| Corn | 31% | Soya | 87% | |
| Rice | 74% | Wheat | 130% |
The reasons for this are
- Population growth
- Climate Change
- Competition for agricultural land from bio chemicals
- Growing affluence in emerging economies
The catering industry has huge challenges ahead with balancing the demand for good, wholesome, healthy menu choices, providing value for money and still making a profit. Focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of your catering establishment will help to achieve this.