The Food Prices Crisis? Notes from Our Second Conversation.

Photo taken from SecondHarvest. See their story HERE.

Our conversation about the food prices crisis appears to be about the price of food. But it has also become about how this conversation sparks other conversations. For some time, we have philosophized about how the 90-minute session is not where real learning takes place. It takes place in the minutes, and the hours, in the days that we live. This conversation, more than most, has sparked observation and discussion in that way.

For example, in our discussion, I had remarked strenuously that the "give us this day our daily bread" prayer had seemingly been meaningless to me throughout my life. I have always had food. I carried this thought into a series of other conversations. In one instance, someone pointed out the problem with that thought (courtesy of Josh M). The teacher of this prayer was Jesus. Throughout his teaching, it is important to understand the "Me/Us" distinction. I was distorting the idea of our LORD's prayer. It is not about me; it is a prayer for us. If we do not have food, then we are without our daily bread. This problem is our problem. 

Our learning is not merely information but is based on the emergent wisdom from conversation. We are looking for light to shine on these issues in a new way, meaning how can we live spiritually with the mind of Christ?

In summary, some of the observations we have unearthed in our conversation include our palpable sense of powerlessness in the modern world.  At the same time, we need to remember the power we hold as consumers. HERE is a reminder of how kids, as consumers, were able to impact the Canadian chocolate bar industry in 1947. Peter's presentation is HERE. Additional information and links provided by Peter are HERE.

Understanding the cost of food can become an abstraction. True hunger was always far away from me. Resources were seldom scarce. The issue of food pricing is vastly complex. Food production and pricing also face other complex issues. A decisive response is hard. But there is a danger in doing nothing. My response does not have to be overwhelmingly large, but it can be small changes. 

One of these acts of change can be internal.  We discussed the practice of reflection using the concept of allow-accept-release-rest. This means allowing myself to experience what I feel about food insecurity. Then, accepting that it exists. Lastly, releasing this to, and resting in the Creator. This is an action in and of itself. The end of the process, rest, is where other actions, based on the mind of Christ, flow from. Maintaining unconditional positive regard for others is an external attitude.  Allow-accept-release-rest is an internal one. 

Other suggestions we voiced included stopping the taxation of food. Regulation, petition, and corporate taxation are possible in some cases. Preserving food from waste is vital. (See the link from the photo caption above.) Consumer action, as we have noted, is a powerful force in capitalism. Consumers hold (or could withhold) the majority of resources in a capitalist economy. A calm boycott is possible without vilification. 

The consumer should also be aware of the hidden costs of  “externalities” which organizations tend download on the public. But ultimately, we should not forget that we are the wealthy, the 'billionaires', when a great deal of the world is poor and hungry. My concern is for our daily bread. 

The question is not where I stand on the details, but what is at the centre of our economics and politics? What is the narrative that we live our lives by? Have our economics and our politics become our ‘religion’?

This same question can be taken into our next conversation on homelessness.