Strategic grain reserve is needed

Re “Our daily bread? It costs more,” March 16

This article documents the effect rising wheat prices have had on bakers. It is important to note that as recently as 2002, wheat farmers were receiving less than $3 per bushel, lower than 1970s prices. These depressed prices drove thousands of family farmers out of business while food processors’ and agribusinesses’ profits skyrocketed. Just as some bakers have little market power to control the price of wheat, farmers have little control over the price they receive for their commodities.

We agree with the need to create a strategic grain reserve and believe it is urgent to revive farmer-owned reserves, as most civilizations have had, to better protect food processors, farmers and consumers. Leaving our food security to the whims of the global markets is a recipe for disaster. Twenty-dollar wheat is a threat to our food system, but $3 wheat is every bit as unacceptable.

Katherine Ozer

Executive Director

National Family Farm

Coalition, Washington