How Are High Food Prices Impacting American Families?

216 Hart Senate Office Building
May 1, 2008

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) convened a Joint Economic Committee (JEC) hearing to examine skyrocketing food prices and their impact on the pocketbooks of already-struggling middle-class families. In the wake of across-the-board price increases of groceries throughout the nation, U.S. Department of Agriculture Chief Economist Dr. Joseph Glauber offered his assessment of the underlying causes behind the dire food crisis. A representative from America’s Second Harvest, the largest domestic hunger relief organization, and the President of the National Farmer’s Union, as well as other food industry experts were on the panel.

Opening Statements:

Chairman Schumer's Opening Statement (PDF - 47.5 KBs)
Vice Chair Carolyn B. Maloney (PDF - 34.0 KBs)

Witness Statements:

Dr. Joseph Glauber, Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture (PDF - 66.9 KBs)
George Braley, Senior Vice-President, America’s Second Harvest (PDF - 18.7 KBs)
Tom Buis, President, National Farmers Union (PDF - 43.2 KBs)
Richard Reinwald, Owner and Co-Founder, Reinwald’s Bakery (PDF - 18.7 KBs)

Press Advisories:

Press Advisory (PDF - 35.3 KBs)

Archived Videos:

Video: How Are High Food Prices Impacting American Families? (RAM - 64.0 Bs)

Charts:

Nearly All Families Spend Over 10% of Income on Food (PDF - 46.6 KBs)
Milk and Egg Prices are Soaring Past Inflation (PDF - 386.2 KBs)
Fruit and Veggie Prices are Soaring Past Inflation (PDF - 112.0 KBs)
Grain and Bean Prices are Soaring Past Inflation (PDF - 152.3 KBs)

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