Food security

The Food Crisis and Global Institutions

The food crisis should move us toward a new era of global cooperation, one that is democratic and accountable to people and the planet.

A bad deal all round

Last minute talks on global trade policy at the World Trade Organization in Geneva this week came close to agreement - but no cigars were lit. For talks that started in 2001, rich country negotiators lost sight of the fact that the round was supposed to be a "development" round to help lift standards of living among the world's poor.

Protection Comes in From the Cold?

Yesterday, we wrote about the enormous pressure being put on India and China to agree to a deal at the WTO. Today, let's get into some of the details of what this fight is really about.

Are India and China the Bad Guys?

The WTO media coverage over the past few days has been scathing for India and China. "U.S. slams China, India for putting Doha round into 'gravest jeopardy'" was the headline in the International Herald Tribune.

Is the WTO Failing Food Aid?

The WTO is out of step on a lot of fronts. The latest proposal on food aid shows yet again how disconnected the Doha negotiations are from what is needed on the ground - particularly as we face the current global food crisis.

Food Crisis Profiteering

Missing from declarations on the food crisis emerging from last week's G8 meeting and June's UN Food Summit has been a call for a more thorough examination of who is profiting from high food prices.

G8 - not so Gr8

First, a confession: like much of the world, I hate the G8 (don't know the term? Try this site for a more academic look at the institution; or Wikipedia, if that is more your speed). I hate everything they stand for: a rich club, a smug club, an exclusive club. Who are they fooling?

Food Assistance and Food Security

Over 27 million Americans received food stamps in March, an increase of over 1.5 million from the previous year. In Minnesota, food shelves are seeing a 20 percent increase in demand.

Food Stamps, Food Security and Public Health: Lessons from Minnesota

The Food Stamp Program is a good case study to examine why, despite food assistance and nutrition programs, people continue to struggle with adequate and nutritious food supplies.

The 2008 Farm Bill and the Doha Agenda

The U.S. Congress voted a new Farm Bill into law on May 22, 2008. The legislation was greeted with a resounding thumbs down in Geneva, where the WTO has its headquarters. The negotiators reaction echoed that of President Bush, who promptly vetoed the legislation, saying the Farm Bill would impede a conclusion to negotiations on the Doha Agenda at the WTO.