CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 01/12/00

Modest Food Price Increases Still Hard For Georgia's Poor

While many Georgians celebrate the news of low increases in food prices, some Georgians will still struggle.

University of Georgia experts with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences forecasted this week that food prices will rise only 2 to 2.5 percent this year. While that's good news for most consumers, for farmers and low-income Georgians the news isn't so good.

The low increase is greatly due to surplus supplies of food, which lowers prices for farmers, but not for consumers.

"Food prices would be more effected by farm prices if consumers wanted more fresh food," said Bill Thomas, an agricultural economist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. "But people no longer want fresh produce. They want it cut up, seasoned, freeze-dried, pre-packaged and ready to cook. That costs more money."

Farmers only make 23 cents of each dollar charged for food. "The rest," Thomas said, "goes toward paying for advertising, packaging, transportation, labor and other preparation costs."

Georgia farmers are facing low prices for commodities ranging from corn to cotton.

"We are facing poor yields and the lowest prices in 20 years for cotton," Thomas said. "We have record supplies worldwide for corn, so we are seeing low prices."

Peanuts growers aren't seeing any premiums for their products, and are getting only average program prices.

The U.S., as well as Brazil, has record crops in soybean, keeping prices low.

"The midwest enjoyed good weather and record yields, while we were hit with the drought and bad yields, sticking us with low prices," Thomas said.

While the food price increases may seem low to most Georgians, for many low-income Georgians and those who depend on shrinking federal help, they can be a strain on household budgets.

"Any price fluctuation affects the poor more significantly than any other group," said Bill Bolling, executive director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. "For those who are having a difficult time paying rent, buying food and caring for their children, even a slight increase makes it even more difficult."

Household income also has an impact on what is spent on food.

"Our latest figures show that a family whose income is between $5,000 and $9,999 per year will spend about $2,389 on food. That's 32 percent of their income," Thomas said. Families earning $30,000 to $39,999 spend more,$4,710, on food but that is just 14.7 percent of their income.

Faith Peppers is the director of public affairs with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
Bill Thomas
University and state leaders cut the ribbon during the Science and Ag Hill dedication ceremony. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
UGA dedicates first phase of Science and Ag Hill modernization 11/01/24
The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of renovations to modernize research and instruction facilities and infrastructure on UGA’s Science and Ag Hill. This area of campus, located just south of Sanford Stadium, includes buildings dedicated to a variety of scientific disciplines such as biology, physics, geology and agricultural sciences.
CAES doctoral students Sofia Varriano and Leniha Lagarde follow farmer Clay Brady to the pasture where many of his chickens are kept. CAES News
UGA researchers study how free-range chickens influence farm sustainability 10/31/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Researchers in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are studying how pastured and free-range chickens impact ecosystems on integrated crop-livestock farms. Supported by a $749,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, entomology doctoral student Sofia Varriano and her thesis advisor, agroecologist and systems biology Professor Bill Snyder, are testing the promise of integrated crop-livestock agriculture to increase the sustainability of smaller farms.
Kaytlyn Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. CAES News
Kaytlyn Cobb joins UGA Grand Farm to boost agricultural innovation in Georgia 10/30/24 Sean Montgomery
Growing up in north Georgia’s Franklin County, Kaytlyn Cobb knew her aspirations in agriculture would always lead her to new opportunities. Inspired by her dedicated community and diverse background, Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. Hired in August, Cobb hit the ground running to continue development of the fast-forming ecosystem between Grand Farm, the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and global strategic partners.
Kevan Lamm teaching undergraduate students CAES News
CAES researchers prepare students to address complex challenges of the future 10/29/24 Emily Cabrera
Over the next three years, researchers in the University of Georgia’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication aim to transform undergraduate education in agricultural and environmental sciences by integrating systems thinking — an approach that encourages students to see the bigger picture by understanding how different components within a system interact.
Thermal imaging technology could improve the production of fruits and vegetables. CAES News
Thermal imaging may help fruits, veggies stay fresher longer 10/28/24 Savannah Peat
Before your favorite produce arrives at the grocery store, it must be carefully harvested and maintained across long stretches of time. A recent University of Georgia review suggests new temperature measuring technologies could make that process much simpler, amid growing agricultural challenges fueled by fluctuating climates. Maintaining temperature, humidity and light is critical to ensuring fruits and vegetables don’t spoil or deteriorate rapidly. Temperature spikes are the root of adverse outcomes, so monitoring these changes quickly and accurately is key.
At the 2024 Georgia Life Sciences Summit held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta, Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his research in technologies to mitigate “forever chemicals” in water resources. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) CAES News
Georgia Bio awards recognize UGA inventor, corporate partners 10/25/24 Carson McAfee
University of Georgia Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang, Delta Innovation Hub resident Dalan Animal Health, and Athens manufacturer Meissner Corporation were recognized for their achievements in the life science industry at Georgia Bio’s Georgia Life Sciences Summit, held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta. The Golden Helix Awards celebrate the contributions of Georgia legislative, academic, corporate, and advocacy leaders working to grow the life science industry and foster strategic partnerships that create a healthier world.