Town Crier Alert: Food prices are rising quickly
We doubt anyone has missed the rise in food prices this last year. Folks, it’s only starting. Even the government and mainstream media are talking about it now. If that’s happening, you know it’s real, but they aren’t sharing everything. Yet.
The fact is that we still have time to prepare our community and lessen the impacts if we act in the next coming months (see discussion below).
The thing is, much of the price increase roots started last year and before as, in general, things that impact food prices don’t begin to be felt until 18 months to two years later. The war is being blamed for it. While it has definitely exacerbated an already precarious situation and amped up the timeline, it is not the primary cause. If the war ended tomorrow it would still continue to get worse. Trust us: the situation is going to be much, MUCH worse in the coming two years because of what’s happening today.
But enough of the Debbie Downer stuff!
Did you know that we can DO this? Our findings in the Local Food Assessment told us that we only need a total of 1500 acres to feed enough produce to every person in Butte County if we came together, focused on it and grew more food that feeds us here. We already have about 500 of those acres going now, so that means we only need around 1000 more.
According to Wikipedia, we have 66.89 square miles of land just in Chico, Paradise, Oroville and Thermalito. According to this converter, that means we have 42, 809 acres of land JUST in the main cities, much of which is open land.
Much of that open land is owned by us and sits around our houses, churches, schools and other venues. We have more than enough of those 1000 acres in our control, right here, right now.
Our community has the power in OUR hands. We don’t have to wait for the government at any level to start our personal food insurance policies today.
So what can we do? It’s easier than you think and a lot of fun.
Join Pamm Larry at three locations around the county to hear about the truth about the situation, but then we’ll quickly pivot and get busy organizing ourselves to join together and learn how to support each other to be more food abundant and food secure. Learn about the 1000 Acres More project and know that you are part of a community that grows food together.
Please bring chairs and things to keep cool to all three and join us on:
July 31 (Sunday), at Vecino Garden at 1535 Laburnum Ave. in Chico, 11AM-12:30 PM
August 7 (Sunday), at Paradise Community Guilds in Paradise from 5PM-6:30PM. Potluck
August 20 (Saturday), at Riverbend Park, 50 Montgomery St. in Oroville from 4-5;30
Bring your friends and family. It’s important and we can make it fun!