How to Prepare for the Next Food Crisis: A Step by Step Guide
Contrary to popular belief, food crises – in which a population of people has access to an insufficient supply of food – are not, in fact, all that uncommon. Pick up a book about nearly any historical period, and you’re likely to read about a famine of some magnitude that afflicted the people living in that particular place and time. And food crises are by no means a thing of the past. Even today, an estimated 795 million people live on a day-to-day basis without adequate nutrition. That’s almost one in nine people alive on earth today that are malnourished. Are we today – even those of us who farm for a living or who have taken up agriculture as a hobby – still at risk of being afflicted by a food crisis?
Are We At Risk of a Food Crisis?
It’s true that the vast majority of people who are at risk of starvation today are living in developing countries; according to the Global Hunger Index, the Central African Republic, Yemen, and Chad currently have the highest rates of malnutrition. But even in our comparatively well-developed, secure, and stable society, we too are at risk of facing a sudden and catastrophic food shortage.
What Produces Food Crises?
There are a few plausible scenarios that could produce a food shortage here at home. As experts in hobby farm refinancing, we’ve broken these down for you:
- Natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, droughts, or wildfires.
- Disease. The 2014 ebola virus outbreak, for example, left hunger and famine in its wake as it tore through afflicted African countries.
- War. Large-scale conflict happening on American soil remains today only a remote possibility – but if it were to occur, a food crisis would be a very likely consequence (food shortages are closely associated with almost every historical military conflict).
What Should You Do to Prepare for a Food Crisis?
The threat of a food crisis in the near future is always looming. With that in mind, it’s important to take action in the present to protect your food and water security. Here are some simple but crucial steps to take to protect you and your loved ones from being victimized by the next food crisis:
- Store fresh water. A healthy adult can survive a maximum of four days without water. Building and protecting a large supply of fresh drinking water, therefore, should be a top priority.
- Gather your food supply. Next, you’ll want to build up your supply of foodstuffs. Focus on collecting dried, canned, and other nonperishables.
- Find a safe storage place. Finally, you’ll need to store your water and food supply in a secure and dry location. Basements, closets, false walls, and backyard sheds are all viable options that will keep your supply safe from the elements – as well as from other potential dangers. If you need additional funds to make these changes and improve your storage facilities, you could always try applying for a Beginning Farmer Loan.
Experts in Hobby Farm Refinancing and Loans
For almost ten consecutive years, MSF Agriculture has provided expert loan and refinance services to the nation’s farming and agricultural communities. Contact us today to refinance or secure a loan for your hobby farm.