Global Warming to Continue Rise in Food Prices

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent report on climate change sees crop prices rising over the next 40 years as the globe heats up, according to an article published in the January issue of Food Nutrition & Science.  Using computer modeling, researchers at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) assessed the harmful impact of climate change on food security through 2050.

According to the report, climate change will cause lower rice yields all over the world in 2050. Overall, the report finds that between now and 2050, food prices could rise by 42 to 131% for maize, 17 to 67% for wheat, and 11 to 78% for rice, depending on the scenario.

"It's imperative that we start preparing for these issues now," says Phil Lempert, founder of Food Nutrition & Science and CEO of The Lempert Report and SupermarketGuru.com. "It's not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change, but also helping impoverished nations invest in their people, land and irrigation to create the food that will feed their residents, but also provide economic opportunity in global trade."

Also in the January edition of Food Nutrition & Science, readers can learn about a Seafood Watch iPhone app called "Project Fish Map" developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  The iPhone app takes seafood selection to the next level by allowing users to identify restaurants and markets across the country that provide ocean-friendly seafood. The free app also has enhanced search functions that help people find seafood quickly and easily by its common market name, or, in the case of sushi, by its Japanese names, making it an invaluable tool for a sushi night out. And for those consumers craving fish on the Seafood Watch "Avoid" list, the app provides some healthy and more sustainable seafood alternatives.

"Food and health apps will be the one of the biggest trends in 2011," says Lempert. "These tools will help people make healthful and environmentally friendly choices and can potentially improve overall lifestyles."

In addition, this issue of Food Nutrition &Science contains articles about 2011 diet trends including one from guest columnist Rosalind V. Benner, RD, LD, a nutritionist with the HEB Grocery Company. She discusses her company's recent "Slim down Showdown" where more than 7,800 HEB employees have teamed up to lose weight and create a more healthful lifestyle.

There's also an interview with Chef Jason Quan and a video tour of Zweber Farms, a fourth generation dairy farm founded in 1906. Zweber farms transitioned to organic certification in 2007 and shipped their first load of certified organic milk under the Organic Valley label in 2008.

Food Nutrition & Science is a free monthly newsletter with articles relating to retailers, manufacturers, farmers, nutritionists, educators, government agencies and more. It's also a newsletter that services members of the National Grocer Association and offers breaking food news and articles on food safety and industry-wide green initiatives. Food Nutrition & Science is committed to covering topics and trends that interest anyone with a stake in the food industry including supermarket retailers, food manufacturers and consumers.  Each issue contains an interview with a farmer.

For more information or to subscribe to Food Nutrition &Science, please visit www.FoodNutritionScience.com.

About Food Nutrition &Science

With more than 26,000 readers, Food Nutrition &Science from The Lempert Report is the only monthly newsletter that provides readers analysis and offers discussions on all issues relating to the food industry. Founded by food industry analyst and CEO of The Lempert Report and SupermarketGuru.com Phil Lempert, Food Nutrition &Science was created so that all industry players could communicate about the safest, most efficient and healthiest way to get food to our plates. For more information or to subscribe to Food Nutrition &Science, please visit www.FoodNutritionScience.com.

SOURCE Food Nutrition & Science