With the worsening economy, the idea of a global food crisis is on the rise. The problem is that people generally perceive the crisis to be a problem with production. Global warming, deforestation, and continual farming must be ruining the world’s farmland, right? Yes, but that’s not even the main problem. The issue is that big companies are controlling the world’s food supplies, capitalizing on poverty. Staple foods like corn, milk, and eggs have seen staggering price increases thanks to America’s ever-expanding capitalist hand (thanks NAFTA).

Meanwhile, many people continue to over-eat, hoard, and waste food. They know that there is a problem, but since it doesn’t affect them, they choose to blow $7 on a meal at McDonald’s. One hour of minimum wage work equals a cheeseburger and fries. People need to slow down in their daily lives and think about what they are consuming. It may seem like one person does not make a difference, but if you change your own wasteful habits, it could have an impact. If everyone would just put their consumerist engines in neutral for a little while, maybe the earth could take a break and the failing economy could loosen its chokehold.

-ÿAlexandria Kassman is a senior majoring in creative writing and Spanish.