This paper reviews the literature on global food security projections up to 2050. It finds that global food demand is likely to increase between 2010 and 2050 (by 35% to 56%), while the population at risk of hunger is likely to decrease over the same period (range: 91% decrease to 8% increase). 

NGOs have warned in an open letter to state leaders that 34 million people are currently at risk of famine, with many more experiencing hunger. The letter says “These people are not starving, they are being starved” and points to drivers including violence, inequality, the impacts of climate change, loss of land or jobs, and the impacts of COVID-19. They call for $5.5 billion to be provided to support immediate food assistance.

According to this infographic from the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies (an academic institution within the US Department of Defence), acute food insecurity in Africa has increased by 60% from 2019 to 2020. The causes in various regions are conflict, road closures due to COVID-19, flooding, locusts, and hyperinflation. 

This paper, co-authored by Table member Prof Ken Giller, investigates how herbicide use impacts casual labour patterns on farms in Central Malawi. It finds that while herbicides can be beneficial for the households using them, herbicide use can replace some casual labour. This results in many households going hungry as they cannot find work. The study is based on a survey of 275 households as well as consultation with village leaders. 

Target: Zero Hunger is a podcast series produced by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations about the stories, issues, and policies at the root of global food security. The most recent episode is “Desert locusts: Are we winning the fight?” It can be listened to in English here and in French here.

This book uses case studies from across the world to examine the history of food insecurity and the role that food sovereignty could play in mitigating hunger.

The UK’s Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) reports that its members have distributed 175% more emergency food parcels during April 2020 than during April 2019. The data covers 112 organisations operating 213 independent food banks across the UK. The number of people supported by or referred to these food banks was 132% greater when comparing across the same time periods. 

The COVID-19 pandemic, mitigation measures and the emerging global recession could cause food disruption on a scale not seen for more than half a century, according to this policy brief from the United Nations. The UN calls for large-scale coordinated action to protect health and nutrition.

This piece from nonprofit food media outlet The Counter explains why some farmers in the US have been dumping surplus food during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the same time that food banks are struggling to source enough food.