Is the United States facing a food crisis?

Food banks are running low on food in America nationwide, with some being forced to close. The Salvation Army reports that donations are down 20% while demand has gone up. World food prices are rising dramatically while supplies are falling as the United Nations reports that food riots could begin to spread worldwide. A top food economist warns that the world should expect massive inflation on food for the next 5 years.The news wires have been filled with stories nationwide describing the same scenario: food banks facing increased demand with less supplies. The situation does not appear to be getting the attention it deserves.The following is a list of articles covering the shortages (as well as global food trends), although there are sure to be some that Daniel Taylor has missed. To access them, please click on the link!!Nation Responds, but Shortage Still Critical at Food Banks Around the CountryOn Thanksgiving Day, America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network, issued an urgent call for support, projecting an immediate food shortage of 15 million pounds - the equivalent of more than 400 truckloads or 11.7 million meals - by the end of the year.Shortages at Food Banks Cause ClosuresA shortage at food banks around the country is forcing some to close their doors for goodFood Bank ShortageFood donations all across the nation are down. The East Texas Food Bank has 900,000 pounds less of nationally donated food than normal.Food Bank Running Critically Low On SuppliesAs the holiday season approaches, the state's largest food supplier said it doesn't know how it will help the hundreds of agencies that count on it to feed the hungry.VIDEO: Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank Faces ShortageGleaners Community Food Bank facing critical shortageThe inventory of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan has dropped by 1.5 million pounds of food, while the agency’s distribution from January through September increased by 2.2 million pounds (12.7 percent), compared to the same period in 2006.Food banks hit by supply shortageFor many of New Haven’s homeless and poor, chicken dinner at soup kitchens every night is a sign of bad timesSalvation Army short on donationsThe Christmas season is underway and the Salvation Army bell ringers are working hard to make Christmas a little merrier this year for some. However donations are going downhill this holiday season.More Needy Families, Fewer Donations to Salvation Army"Hardly anybody's buying," Richards said. "This is the worst I've seen it in 15 years.""Food banks nationwide face shortages"It is being called one of the most demanding years in decades.Top food economist: expect massive inflation for next 5 yearsRising US food inflation, now a 25-year high, is reminiscent of the 1970s and will continue for the next five years due to growing world economies, increased food demand and a sharp expansion of corn-based ethanol production, a top food economist said Friday.Wal-Mart, ConAgra help ease food shortageThe growing need for food among the area's needy and working poor is not lost on Angelia Smith.Donations are downHigh gasoline prices, seasonal unemployment in the agriculture and tourism industries as well as the collapse of the housing market have left thousands in the region struggling to pay bills and keep even a minimum of food on their own tables.UN warns on soaring food pricesThe soaring cost of food is threatening millions of people in poor countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warnedWorld food price rises to hit consumersGlobal food prices will come under further pressure on Monday as benchmark prices for cereals at much higher levels come into operation, making it almost inevitable that a second wave of food price inflation will hit the world's leading economies.World food stocks dwindling rapidly, UN warnsIn an "unforeseen and unprecedented" shift, the world food supply is dwindling rapidly and food prices are soaring to historic levels, the top food and agriculture official of the United Nations warned Monday.Wheat Rises in Chicago on Supply Concerns; Corn, Soybeans FallWheat futures gained in Chicago on expectations demand is increasing at a time of shrinking global stockpiles. Corn and soybeans declined as recent advances may have been overdone

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