Global capitalism is an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.
Global capitalism is directly related to corporate agribusiness, food waste, and unequal allocation of food resources - which continue the perpetuation of global hunger.
There is no food shortage; world-wide enough food is produced to feed every single person 2800 calories a day. For a healthy man wishing to maintain his weight, the daily calorie recommendation is 2500, for women it is only 2000. So, not only is there no food shortage, there is more than enough for each individual. So why is the government recommendation to produce more food to end hunger? This once again comes down to global capitalism.
Corporate agribusinesses control the majority of world food trade. While most of the following business are based out of the U.S. they also create corporate farms in underdeveloped countries under the promise that these businesses will help the local economy. However, the U.S. government uses United States contractors, supplies, labor and equipment to build these farms; and the food produced is sent to wealthier countries such as the U.S., Europe, and Canada. These countries then become indebted to the U.S. for the entire cost of the farms, and charge massive interest on these countries, putting them at greater financial restraints. When these countries fail to pay, the U.S. uses it as leverage to station military bases and further exploit the country. More can be read about this in John Perkins book Confessions of an Economic Hitman.
These are the figures on corporate agribusinesses:
Grain Trading: Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) 1.5 billion, up 55% from last year, Cargill 1.03 billion, up 86%. Bunge 867 million up 189%. ADM, Bunge and Cargill alone supply 100% of the world trade in corn. 85% of world trade in grain is controlled by six companies.
Seeds and Herbicides: Monsanto 2.23 billion, up 54%, Dupont Agriculture and Nutrition 786 million, up 21%. Fertilizer: Potash Corporation 66 million, up 185.9%, Mosaic 520.8 million up more than 1200%.
83% of world trade in cocoa is controlled by three companies.
80% of the world trade in banana's is controlled by three companies.
Every country listed, with the exception of Potash Corporation (which is based in Canada) are based in the United States - and even Potash Corporation signed a partnership with the U.S.
Food waste is another huge problem in the continuation of world hunger. This is not just an individual problem, this is a corporate problem. The first problem lies with corporate corn use. 40% of corn is used in biofuels. Additionally corn is a main ingredient in animal feed; therefore when corn prices rise, the cost of meat, eggs, and dairy products are also effected.
Due to corporate agribusiness and farming, small and mid-sized farms are unable to keep up with supply and demand. The government pays subsidies to large corporation farmers, a benefit small and mid-sized farmers do not have, even when corporate farms have a bad crop yield or do not grow on certain acres, they are still paid government subsidies.
Food is not produced based on necessary caloric intake, but market conditions, which can lead to a significant portion of the crop going unharvested due to lack of resources and money to pay employees for the work. Aesthetics and supermarkets also play a large role in food waste. Anywhere from 9% to 50% of edible food yielded gets thrown out because it is not aesthetically pleasing. Supermarkets have also done studies that show that people are more likely to purchase produce from an overflowing bin, and in order to meet the demands of this selling tactic, they order much more produce than necessary to create this appeal for their consumers. However, overflowing bins of produce cause the produce at the bottom of the bin to look unaesthetic, or to go bad, and therefore be thrown out. Supermarkets waste up to 2300 dollars of food every day.
Finally, unequal allocation of food resources is the nail in the coffin of world hunger. Unequal distribution of food is directly linked to unequal distribution of wealth. 20% of the worlds population consume 80% of the worlds resources, while the remaining 20% of resources is left to 80% of the worlds population.
For climate and labor purposes wealthy countries such as the U.S. exploit the lands of underdeveloped countries for crop production. This means that some of the poorest countries that are unable to feed their own people are growing, producing, and exporting food to the wealthiest countries in the world. Unfortunately, these countries not only lose out on the food they are producing, but they also do not benefit economically - the food and profits go to affluent countries as well.
So what can you do?
Put your money where your mouth is! Support local farmers markets, grow your own food whenever possible, and stop supporting global capitalism and corporate agribusiness.
A list of farmers markets in Illinois can be viewed here. One can also shop Brandless at this online resource. Finally, tips on growing your own food can be viewed here.
Songs to support the Movement:
Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog
Stand Tall by Childish Gambino
For any question, comments, or ideas please post below, and join the movement.
Resources
Capitalism and Global Poverty: Two Billion Poor, One Billion Hungry
Food Crises: World Hunger, Agribusiness, and the Food Sovereignty Alternative (Part 2).
Food Crises: World Hunger, Agribusiness, and the Food Sovereignty Alternative (Part 1).
Food and Capitalism: A Crises of Waste and Destruction.
Finally, unequal allocation of food resources is the nail in the coffin of world hunger. Unequal distribution of food is directly linked to unequal distribution of wealth. 20% of the worlds population consume 80% of the worlds resources, while the remaining 20% of resources is left to 80% of the worlds population.
For climate and labor purposes wealthy countries such as the U.S. exploit the lands of underdeveloped countries for crop production. This means that some of the poorest countries that are unable to feed their own people are growing, producing, and exporting food to the wealthiest countries in the world. Unfortunately, these countries not only lose out on the food they are producing, but they also do not benefit economically - the food and profits go to affluent countries as well.
So what can you do?
Put your money where your mouth is! Support local farmers markets, grow your own food whenever possible, and stop supporting global capitalism and corporate agribusiness.
A list of farmers markets in Illinois can be viewed here. One can also shop Brandless at this online resource. Finally, tips on growing your own food can be viewed here.
Songs to support the Movement:
Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog
Stand Tall by Childish Gambino
For any question, comments, or ideas please post below, and join the movement.
Resources
Capitalism and Global Poverty: Two Billion Poor, One Billion Hungry
Food Crises: World Hunger, Agribusiness, and the Food Sovereignty Alternative (Part 2).
Food Crises: World Hunger, Agribusiness, and the Food Sovereignty Alternative (Part 1).
Food and Capitalism: A Crises of Waste and Destruction.
