US Suspends Food Aid To Ethiopia, Citing Widespread Theft
Image Source: Ben Curtis/Associated Press
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) suspended all food aid to Ethiopia after an investigation found “widespread and coordinated” theft of emergency rations. A brief by the Humanitarian and Resilience Donor Group said the scheme “appeared to be orchestrated by federal and regional government of Ethiopia entities, with military units across the country benefiting from humanitarian assistance.” The US is the biggest single donor to Ethiopia, providing $1.8 billion in humanitarian assistance, including food aid, in 2022. In total, 20 million people across Ethiopia rely on food aid because of conflict and drought. It appears the government decided its military needed the food most. USAID intends to resume food assistance once they are "confident in the integrity of delivery systems to get assistance to its intended recipients."
Supreme Court Upholds California Ban On Inhumane Pork Sales
Image Source: Reuters/Daniel Acker
In 2021, California passed a law (Proposition 12) banning the sale of pork products derived from sows that don’t have at least 24 square feet of space and the ability to stand up and turn around in their pens. The National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation sued, arguing that increased costs for pig farmers violate the "Commerce Clause," which prevents states from passing laws discriminating against commerce in other states. The case went to the Supreme Court, and last month, federal judges upheld the California law: no more gestation crates for California pork. Score 1 for this little piggy.
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Plummeting Stocks Set To Trigger Salmon Fishing Ban In California
Image Source: Steve Martarano/US Fish and Wildlife Service
The Pacific Fishery Management Council, a federal commission that oversees West Coast fisheries, has recommended that Chinook salmon fishing off the California coast be called off until 2024. The ban would halt both commercial and recreational salmon fishing in the state and much of the neighboring Oregon coast. The reason? Chinook salmon have become increasingly endangered due to drought, heat waves, and agriculture. To take effect, the National Marine Fisheries Service must approve the ban by May 16.
California Floods Jeopardize Summer Strawberry Harvest
Image Source: California Strawberry Commission
Most US-grown strawberries come from California, and about a third of the state’s strawberry acreage is in the Watsonville and Salinas areas, according to the California Strawberry Commission. This winter, that area has been battered by 11 atmospheric rivers and storms, causing about $324 million is agricultural losses. In mid-March another storm broke a local levee, drowning over 1,000 acres of prime strawberry fields, and forcing the evacuation of more than 8,000 people from the Latino farmworker community. Soren Bjorn, president of leading strawberry brand Driscoll’s, said the potential impact is significant. Strawberry shortcake, beware.
Shoppers Face Fresh Price Hikes As Stores And Suppliers Pass On Costs
Image Source: Reuters/Paul Childs
By the end of 2022, the US food index had risen 10.4%. Analysts predict food prices will continue to rise for at least the first half of 2023. According to research firm Kantar, British consumers have already paid a record 16.7% more for food in the first month of 2023 compared to the same time last year. The CEO of Nestle, which owns more than 2,000 food brands from Cheerios to Häagen-Dazs, said the company would have to raise prices again in 2023 to offset increasing production costs. Food giant Unilever is also expected to raise prices. Tighten your belts. Inflation isn't over yet.
