2. ZERO HUNGER

Food Availability in the US to take Major Hits Soon – Daily Kos

Food Availability in the US to take Major Hits Soon – Daily Kos
Written by ZJbTFBGJ2T

Food Availability in the US to take Major Hits Soon  Daily Kos

Report on U.S. Food Supply Challenges and the Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

Recent reports highlight critical issues affecting food availability, rising costs, and disruptions in the U.S. food supply chain. These challenges have significant implications for achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Beef Prices and Supply Constraints

Current Situation

According to a CBS News report, beef prices in the U.S. have reached record highs. The primary factors contributing to this trend include:

  1. Demand exceeding supply amid a growing population.
  2. The number of beef cattle is at its lowest since the 1960s, with shrinking herds exacerbated by drought conditions.
  3. Additional pressures from high grain prices, tariffs, and rising interest rates.

Implications for SDGs

  • SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Reduced beef supply threatens food security and nutrition.
  • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Increased prices may encourage more sustainable consumption patterns.

Other Meat Sources

While pork and chicken remain more affordable than beef, their availability is also at risk due to labor shortages discussed in the following section.

Labor Shortages and Immigration Policies Affecting the Food Supply Chain

Impact of Immigration Policy

A Politico article sheds light on the consequences of restrictive immigration policies implemented during the Trump administration. Key points include:

  • Foreign-born workers, including second and third-generation immigrants, are essential to labor sectors critical to the food supply chain.
  • Revocation of protected status for approximately 76,000 individuals from Honduras and Nicaragua, following similar actions against Haitians, Afghans, Venezuelans, and Cameroonians, has led to job losses at major companies such as Disney and Amazon.

Labor and Food Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Immigrant workers serve as linchpins across all aspects of the food supply chain. The fear and uncertainty caused by immigration enforcement actions threaten the stability and efficiency of food production and distribution.

SDG Implications

  • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Labor shortages undermine economic growth and decent employment opportunities.
  • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Policies affecting immigrant workers exacerbate social and economic inequalities.
  • SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Disruptions in labor supply threaten food availability and affordability.

Recommendations and Community Actions

  1. Individuals are encouraged to stock up on essential food items where possible to mitigate supply disruptions.
  2. Planting vegetable gardens is recommended to enhance food self-sufficiency and contribute to sustainable consumption (SDG 12).

Conclusion

The interconnected challenges of rising beef prices, shrinking cattle herds, and labor shortages due to immigration policies pose significant risks to the U.S. food supply chain. Addressing these issues is vital for advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including zero hunger, decent work, and reduced inequalities. Coordinated efforts from policymakers, businesses, and communities are essential to build a resilient and sustainable food system.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

  1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
    • Concerns about food availability and rising beef prices directly relate to ensuring access to sufficient and nutritious food.
    • The shrinking cattle herds and drought affecting supply highlight challenges to sustainable food production.
  2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
    • The loss of foreign workers due to immigration policies impacts labor sectors critical to the economy, including agriculture and food supply chains.
    • Issues around work authorizations and employment terminations affect economic growth and decent work conditions.
  3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
    • The revocation of protected status for immigrant groups and its impact on their employment touches on reducing inequalities and protecting vulnerable populations.
  4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
    • High grain prices and tariffs affecting food production costs relate to sustainable consumption and production patterns.
  5. SDG 13: Climate Action
    • Drought affecting cattle herds points to climate-related impacts on agriculture and food security.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

  1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
    • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
    • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, including through sustainable food production systems.
  2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
    • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
    • Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.
  3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
    • Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
  4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
    • Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains.
  5. SDG 13: Climate Action
    • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

  1. SDG 2 Indicators
    • Prevalence of undernourishment and food insecurity (implied by concerns over food availability and rising prices).
    • Number of cattle herds or livestock population trends (implied by the mention of lowest cattle numbers since 1960s).
    • Food price indices (beef prices, grain prices).
  2. SDG 8 Indicators
    • Employment rates in agriculture and food supply sectors (implied by loss of foreign workers).
    • Number of workers with legal work authorization (implied by revoked protected status and job losses).
  3. SDG 10 Indicators
    • Number of migrants with protected status and work authorization (implied by revocation of status for specific groups).
    • Incidence of discrimination or barriers to employment for immigrants.
  4. SDG 12 Indicators
    • Food loss and waste along the supply chain (implied by supply constraints and rising costs).
  5. SDG 13 Indicators
    • Frequency and severity of droughts affecting agricultural productivity.
    • Measures of climate resilience in agricultural sectors.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious food.
  • 2.3: Double agricultural productivity and incomes.
  • Prevalence of undernourishment.
  • Livestock population trends.
  • Food price indices (beef, grain).
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • 8.5: Full and productive employment and decent work.
  • 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe working environments.
  • Employment rates in agriculture.
  • Number of workers with legal work authorization.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  • 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, and responsible migration.
  • Number of migrants with protected status.
  • Incidence of employment discrimination.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • 12.3: Halve per capita global food waste and reduce losses.
  • Food loss and waste metrics along supply chains.
SDG 13: Climate Action
  • 13.1: Strengthen resilience to climate-related hazards.
  • Frequency and severity of droughts.
  • Climate resilience measures in agriculture.

Source: dailykos.com

 

Food Availability in the US to take Major Hits Soon – Daily Kos

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