There are a number of factors contributing to higher food prices including higher energy costs, growing global food demand and changing weather patterns. However, policies for subsidizing and mandating the conversion of corn to fuel are the only part of the food inflation equation that Congress controls. In 2007, food-to-fuel policies led to ¼ of U.S. corn being turned into ethanol. That number will rise to over 30% of 2008's harvest.

Congress and the Administration need to reduce our dependence on food as an energy source and to accelerate the development of alternative fuels that do not pit out energy needs against the needs of the hungry.

Quotes:

“And what I've said is top priority is making sure people are able to get enough to eat. If it turns out we need to make changes in our ethanol policy to help people get something to eat, that has got to be the step we take…We have rising food prices around the United States. In other countries, we're seeing riots because of the lack of food supply, so this is something we're going to have to deal with."- Barack Obama (D-IL) on Meet the Press, Sunday, May 4, 2008