Why are food prices increasing? They’re soaring not just here in our own neighborhood, but all over the world.

According to relief organization Oxfam America, “the causes are multiple and there is considerable debate about the relative importance of different factors, but key drivers are:

• Reduced production due to bad weather – possibly linked to climate change (extreme drought or floods, in Australia and Russia);

• Export restrictions and panic buying – usually caused by weather related shocks;

• Increased demand, both for biofuels – which takes land away from food production – and for food (especially meat);

• Financial causes – such as the depreciation of the dollar, low interest rates and speculation;

• Increased oil prices – which drive up the cost of agricultural essentials like fertilizer and transport.”

Food is being used to balance the federal budget. President Obama has just proposed cuts to many programs for poor and working-class Americans. This comes just a few days after the House of

Representatives proposed taking funds away from, among other indispensable programs, the successful supplemental nutrition to pregnant mothers, infants, and young children program.

Even as this federal heartlessness unfolds, states will need to step up to grasp the importance of keeping their ever increasing numbers of “working poor” fed and healthy.

The Center for American Progress has scheduled a meeting of minds with experts on “how states can use Food Action Plans to achieve the best possible outcomes from low-income families while also benefiting other consumers, boosting private industry, and spurring economic development.”

What can we do?

It is essential that we try to share what we can, so please, donate money, food or time to local food banks and charities. A great place to start is with the Kingston Food Bank at (360) 297-4861 or Kingston’s ShareNet Food Bank at (360) 297-2266.

If you are having difficulty getting enough food on the table at home, these are two of the best places to contact. Don’t wait, do it now.

It’s time to fasten our seat belts because it’s going to be a long, bumpy ride for us all. The Food and Agriculture Organization reports that these rising food prices may very well remain high over the next decade. And it appears as though we may have to change the way we think about food… eventually.

Here are some tips collected from places as diverse as Forbes and Consumer Digest that may help with soaring food costs.

Keep the pantry stocked. Plan meals for one week in advance. Stretch meals out to make leftover meals.

Prepare a concise list of groceries when going shopping to prevent having to make extra trips. Consider cutting back on restaurants and drive-throughs and opting for cheaper, healthier home cooking.

Comparison shop grocery stores and unit prices. Larger sizes aren’t always cheaper. Bulk is usually, but not always cheaper. Trade down on brands by trying store brands, which are much cheaper and often taste as good as name brands.

Check fliers for sales; buy one or two extras of sale items you use and store wisely. Check coupon fliers in the newspapers and coupon Web sites such as Coupon Mom or A Full Cup.

Locally grown produce may be very competitive in cost and freshness to grocery store prices. Check out the farmer’ market. Grow your own vegetables if you have a green thumb. Consider frozen fruits and vegetables, which are usually fresher than those in the produce section are and less expensive than those canned.

It’s time to treat food with the respect it deserves. Just ask someone that doesn’t have enough food for his family what food means to him.

Unfortunately, more and more of us will be needing assistance before this bumpy ride is over.

Comments are welcome at marylin.olds@gmail.com.