Food Security

‘Weed’ is very much a loaded term. Plants are plants, but some of them we have defined as being against our economic, and sometimes aesthetic, interests. In truth, one organism’s weed is another’s livelihood — and this has been profoundly underlined in a recent study from the University of Sussex…

Weber Shandwick experts around the world are watching the evolving food security crisis. In this article series, we provide local market trends and analysis across several regions. Part 1 spotlights perspectives from colleagues in the United States, Canada, Brazil and the European Union. “We are facing hunger on an unprecedented…

When you see each of the above individually, you will see that many initiatives are embarking by different government and commercial entities. However, I feel that we are not having a synergistic approach to solving these joint problems but a fragmented effort that might not achieve the most significant potential. …

Bee populations are facing a perfect storm of disease, destruction and death. With bees responsible for pollinating most of our major food crops, this could spell disaster for global food security. — In the autumn of 2006, a strange phenomenon occurred on farms throughout the US. Beekeepers across the country emerged to check on their hives in preparation for the coming winter. They expected to find bustling insect metropolises humming with the activity of thousands of industrious worker bees storing food for…

Weber Shandwick experts around the world are watching the evolving food security crisis. In this report, we provide local market perspectives, trends and analysis. “We are facing hunger on an unprecedented scale, food prices have never been higher and millions of lives and livelihoods are hanging in the balance. The…

Well, the semester is finally over and we are feeling quite sentimental! Last week, we said goodbye to our amazing Pantry Coordinator, Collin, who recently finished his MPA and is off to work for the Dept. of Health & Human Services! We are super sad to see him go, but…

Aquaponics is an amalgamation of the words ‘Aquaculture’ (farming of fish and aquatic plants in water) and Hydroponics (farming plants in nutrient rich water only, with no soil). It is a relatively new concept, but I believe it is one of the most important vegetable and protein production techniques for…

Specialist discusses her role as global awareness of connection between conflict and food security increases — Sharon Beijer was the UN World Food Programme’s (WFP) first field-based conflict sensitivity specialist. Here she tells us more about her role in Iraq, and life before WFP. Tell us about your path to WFP? I grew up in the Netherlands and when I left school, I wanted to be…

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is using hunger as a weapon of war, creating food insecurity in Ukraine and threatening to disrupt global food supplies — As its brutal invasion of Ukraine rages on, Russia’s military is targeting food stocks and machinery, blocking seaports, and razing farmland in an effort to destroy the country’s agriculture sector. These tactics directly damage the livelihoods of more than 13…