A: The current pandemic has tested the limits of our interconnected yet fragile food supply chain. As a result of this virus and its associated lockdowns, trade restrictions, and closed borders, we are seeing lots of changes.
* Grocery store prices are increasing, especially for meat and eggs. Remember, people are eating many more of their calories at home and grocery shopping has just become strange altogether. Unfortunately, this increase in prices is also occurring at a time of massive unemployment and financial uncertainty.
* Food is being dumped, especially perishables like fresh produce and milk, which had previously sold much of their product to restaurants, hotels, and schools.
* Meatpacking employees and farmers are sick and unable to work, leading to closures and shortages. As of May 22, nearly 20,000 meat and food processing workers have tested positive for COVID-19 and 72 have died.
Food & Environment Reporting Network
Since we here at Dear Pandemic love data, here’s a tool allowing you to dig down and see what regions and agricultural products are hard hit.
