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In this article BBC special correspondent Tom Feilden 'looks at the reasons why the era of cheap food is coming to an end'. The article describes how the prices of basic foodstuffs around the world are rising at a rapid rate. It explains that a population boom and economic growth created a new middle class which drastically increased food consumption. This excess demand over supply has therefore hiked up food prices considerably.

As food prices rise in the world, more people become impoverished. Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank, argues that inflation in food prices is the greatest threat to people living in poverty. Zoellick also criticizes export bans that lift costs for foreign consumers, as the bans put additional strain on local food prices in impoverished nations.

This article talks about the recent food crisis and its origins. It describes the various ways in which demand has increased, and thus how prices have increased. It also talks about how the market should respond to lower prices.

This article mentions the estimate of the world population in 2050, which is 9 billion people. This would add up 2 billion people more to the actual number, bringing some additional human beings to feed. If as for now, there are 1 billion people hungry in the world, how will this extra 2 billion affect the world's supply of food. A negative externality being referred here, is the fact that as more people are born, there is less food to be given to the ones already here.

Marcelo, this can not count as a negative externality, methinks.

This article is about how rising food prices, recently aggravated by unrest in the Middle East, have rapidly been "pushing" many people below the poverty threshold. 44 million people are now below the threshold of extreme poverty.

This article talks about how McDonalds recently started a $1 dolar breakfast meal to try and increase sales. This price for breakfast does not take into consideration the social cost of consuming such unhealthy food. Because of the negative externalities such as weight gain and heart attacts, this is a form of market failure, .

The World Bank and IMF are calling for support for Middle Eastern nations, arguing that higher food and oil prices, and a jobless economic recovery, will harm nations in the region. The World Bank and IMF are saying that, in the long run, lack of involvement in the Middle East will cause a downturn in the economy - and an increase in poverty.

To help refugees return to their native countries, the United States awarded over 126 million dollars to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The aid is also to provide food, health care, and education, among other necessities.

This article is about teachers in Chad going on strike because their pay does not cover high food prices and other costs of living. This high cost of living, which many people cannot afford, means that people's lives are not improving. This shows a lack of economic development.

A macroeconomic goal is on relieving low unemployment. When more people in a country have jobs, that country will grow and produce more economically. People will have more money to spend and use, making them able to buy things that will improve their standard of living.The inflation concern is that productivity is slowing at a time when wage growth is picking up. That's a recipe for faster increases in unit labor costs, which correlate with inflation outside of energy and food.

This article explains that not only is there a food and shelter problem, but docotrs and medical staff are in a short supply and are needed now more then ever. medical supplies and resources have improved, but the crush of volunteer doctors in Port-au-Prince can complicate treatment in the city while there is great need for help in other places hit by the earthquake.As the city's main hospital is brimming with doctors, it is in need of nurses and physical therapists.

This article reports on the closing of a high-end steakhouse in Vancouver. The demand for expensive food has dropped as incomes have faller due to the recession. This means that this sort of fancy restaurant has a positive income elasticity. As income falls, demand falls.

This articals explains how seafood at a large canadian seafood company try to keep steady prices with a very inacurate knoledge of what fish will be caught and the demand on that determined by price of the amount of fish in the stores. Currency can rapidly rise and fall in canada for fish markets suffer.

Chocolate makers Hershey Co and Ferrero are considering a joint bid for Cadbury Plc that could help the British confectioner fend off a hostile takeover by Kraft Foods Inc. Cadbury had not been contacted by Ferrero but would consider any attractive offer.