To the Editor:

In March of last year we wrote a Letter to the Editor on “Climate Change” and the “Link to Food Insecurity.” Our conclusion was that it was “Only going to get worse.” Sadly, this has proved to be the case.

During the recent Election Campaign, you could be forgiven for thinking that one Party had access to a magic switch they could toggle to reduce the cost of groceries … It was hard to argue against this after an average 25% increase in food prices over the past five years. Now, it appears an element of reality has crept in, as they acknowledge that actually reducing the price of food is “very hard.”

It is hard, because it’s a complex problem. Weather events, crop yields, disease, war, supply chain issues, spikes in demand and other temporary disruptions all play their part. Several are directly influenced by climate change.

The November average price for a dozen eggs across the country came in at $3.65. That was an 8.2% increase (month-on-month), but, watch out! Wholesale egg prices increased 55% in the same period. Why?

A lot of that was likely due to a bird flu outbreak ravaging flocks, so reducing supply at a time when Americans are baking, cooking and dining out during the Festive Season… Did climate change create the conditions that allowed the outbreak to proliferate?

Whilst overall grocery inflation is now reasonably under control, this does not mean prices are going to come down. It just means they are going up more slowly. And there are still examples of significant price increases in parts of the food aisle. Examples include beef, chocolate, coffee, and orange juice.

The US cattle inventory is at a 70-year low, driven by drought and rising costs. Beef prices are up five% vs last year. The situation is not expected to improve in 2025.

Chocolate (wholesale manufacturing costs) are up +108.7% annually, due to a series of adverse weather events in the cocoa-producing regions of West Africa, responsible for over 70% of global cocoa supply. Cocoa costs could easily remain elevated into 2026.

Droughts and floods continue to hamper coffee production in Brazil, including the arabica beans which Americans love, driving up the price of a “Cup of Joe.”

Frozen juices are up 17.2% largely due to domestic hurricanes, extreme temperatures and a citrus disease (Florida still produces 60% of US oranges). Fresh orange juice prices are also on the rise.

Then there are the tariffs. A 25% tariff on Mexico might seem like a good idea, but let’s not forget we import almost $3 billion worth of fresh tomatoes each year from Mexico. So what will that tariff do to the price of a pizza or pasta sauce? We don’t have enough greenhouses in the US to satisfy our tomato needs!

Let us know what you think. Send a response to The Newtown Bee.

Frank B Gardner and Neil P Randle

Sandy Hook