After closing out 2022, many people are wondering what will happen with the state of food prices throughout 2023. Unfortunately, there are still many questions and factors that will continue to play out this year. The stark rise in food costs saw a peak rate of inflation of 11.4 in August 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While the rate of inflation is slowing, it is expected to remain high for quite some time.
According to the World Bank, “Prices are expected to stay at “historically high levels” through the end of 2024.” --CNN
“Food prices are affected by a number of factors, including extreme weather, diseases impacting crops and livestock, supply chain complications and geopolitical unrest including the war in Ukraine. That makes it more difficult for the US government to use tactics like raising interest rates to moderate food prices.” -- CNN
“California, the top agriculture state, was also hit by severe drought, while Hurricane Ian ravaged Florida and Nicole this year - these disasters combined resulted in a $5 billion loss in crops.” -- Daily Mail
“One of the worst droughts the country has seen in decades is also helping fuel food inflation. As of Tuesday, 53.2% of the lower 48 states is in a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.” -- Fox News on Yahoo!
While there isn’t much the individual can do to change increasing prices and rates of inflation, you can make choices now to secure food for yourself and your family this year and for years to come. Growing your own fruits and vegetables doesn’t have to take up a lot of space. It can be as simple as growing microgreens weekly, window herbs or container gardening.
Until the Covid Pandemic hit in 2020, home food preservation was becoming a dying art. Now that food security has become something to question with the influence of drought, supply chain problems, and the complications of political unrest, I am glad my grandmother taught and involved me in the process of preserving our garden harvest throughout my childhood.
As she was born during the Great Depression and experienced continued periods of recession throughout her life, having the security a home garden could provide meant a lot to her. Now, it’s starting to mean more to me too. It’s starting to become more valuable to many people around the world.
Preserving your harvest can guarantee your food supply regardless of fluctuating grocery store prices, commercial crop failures, supply chain issues, and more. Methods such as canning, bottling, and fermenting can ensure a supply in times without power. With room in a freezer, you can store even more food that can be used throughout the year.
In order to utilize tried and true methods like these, start by producing your own home garden. Growing your own food supply does not have to be complicated. If you aren’t sure what to grow, start with a home garden assortment such as the Emergency Heirloom Bug Out Bag (34 seed types), its Compact Bug Out Bag counterpart (19 seed types), or an Organic Heirloom Variety Pack (16 seed types). For a long-term emergency seed supply, consider keeping one of these No. 10 Cans of Heirloom Seeds packed away (16 varieties). For Help with growing instructions, check out our vegetable and herb growing guides.
11 comments
I was raised on a farm by a Grandmother who grew and preserved everything she could find, from foraged blackberries to homegrown green beans. I was peeling tomatoes for canning when I was still small enough I was standing at the sink on a chair. That stayed with me, so even when I moved to town and got an office job, I kept my garden on the farm where my family still lived. When my Dad passed away I purchased the farm from my stepmother and retired from my office job. I still grow organic vegetables and grass fed beef and have chickens, but I’ve expanded my knowledge to include lettuce in hoop houses and an unheated back room for storage. I can grow lettuce until almost Christmas here in Michigan and I still have a dozen butternut squash and some potatoes and onions in storage. They’ll last until about Easter. I know not everyone has acreage like I do, but anyone can grow in containers with some grow lights. It’s easy, it’s better than anything trucked across the country and there’s no more running to the store for salad because it’s right there on your porch or counter.
It’s so important for people to understand how food is grown and preserved! Once you understand how food is grown you realize how easy it is to grow your own! I’ve been gardening for over a decade now but in 2020 I finally started learning how to preserve what I grew! It’s been a game changer for my grocery budget!!
The middle of 2022, I started a garden. The constant watering, watching and waiting had me so excited when it came time to finally harvest and preserve the items that my family could have on hand and not worry about going to the store as frequently.
I cannot wait to grow even more and learn new ways to preserve and perfect the long lost art of self sufficiency
This is definitely a problem now. I’m happy I was raised by my grandpa who was raised during the depression, so he always had a good sized garden. It was enough to share with others even. This years goal in my garden is how much we can grow and preserve.
Food insecurity is genuine. I’m a certified horticulturist and former Master Gardener.