Perverse and hidden economic agendas embedded within global food markets have existed since the financialization of food. Although presented as an altruistic way of alleviating global hunger, food aid is often politically motivated (despite claims it was depoliticized in the 90s). Today the US remains a predominant supplier of food aid globally, with economic motivations for this including the cheaper disposal of surplus food, export promotion, and the creation of markets through concessional sales (Clapp, 2005). Agenda embedded within bilateral food aid does not come as a complete surprise given foods longstanding history of 'weaponization' which dates back to the cold war. Although at times well-intentioned, the utilization of food aid serves as an exemplar of how institutions and even governments can hide behind ‘philanthropy’ while acting in self-interest. Believe it or not, with over 40 million tons of excess food leftover annually, it is actually cheaper for the US to give its food surplus away as ‘aid’ instead of paying to dispose of this waste. Food aid has even gone so far as to create markets for surplus food, notably raising the price of US grain. As for export promotion and the creation of markets through concessional sales - the rationale is to give food away (or sell cheaply) to open up the potential for future markets in the long term. Therefore once these recipient developing nations no longer need aid, they will be so accustomed to donor-exported goods (particularly bread and pasta) that these foods will be of high demand and market value (FDA, 2021; Clapp, 2005). The heavy utilization of GMOs in the US has critics arguing that food aid does more harm than good for already struggling, recipient third world nations. Over 50% of food donations come from the US - the largest producer of GMO crops (Shahbandeh 2021; Park, 2019). This heavy utilization of GMOs in the US coincides with a lack of regulation around segregating or even labeling genetically modified produce - this is likely difficult, as once GE seeds spread, it is near impossible to control contamination. This has meant that GMO food aid has been shipped to third-world countries without their knowledge, jeopardizing the ability of these recipient nations to trade with the EU [due to the European ban on GMOs] (Clapp, 2005; Friends of the Earth International, 2003). As a result, even in times of privation, many African nations have turned down help from the US -even during the African food shortage of 2002 (Pringle, 2003). The politicization of food aid is longstanding and can even be dated back to the cold war when food was used by the US as leverage in an attempt to combat the fomentation of communism. Food was offered to bring stability to developing nations vulnerable to communist insurgency, with allies including Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan, and South Korea. Meanwhile, the US withheld food aid from its adversaries, refusing to aid Bangladesh in 1973 due to its previous export trade deals with Cuba (Uvin, 1992). Nuanced hierarchical trade dynamics, coupled with too many vested interests lead to patterns of hegemony, and the monopolization of food systems. The commodification and ‘weaponization’ of food – a basic human right, is concerning. However, what is more concerning is the fact that in a world of food surplus, people still go hungry. References: Clapp, J. (2005). The Political Economy of Food Aid in an Era of Agricultural Biotechnology. Global Governance, 11(4), 467-485. Retrieved September 13, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/27800586 FDA 2021 https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/food-loss-and-waste Friends of the Earth International (2003). Playing With Hunger: The Reality Behind the Shipment of GMOs as Food Aid. Genetically Modified Organisms Programme. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/playing_with_hunger2.pdf Park, Katrin (2019). The Great American Food Aid Boondoggle, https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/12/10/america-wheat-hunger-great-food-aid-boondoggle/ Pringle, P. (2003). Hunger and the Biotech Wars. World Policy Journal, 20(2), 43-50. Retrieved September 13, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/40209859 Shahbandeh, M. (2021). Global genetically modified crops by countries 2019, based on acreage Uvin, P. (1992). Regime, Surplus, and Self-Interest: The International Politics of Food Aid. International Studies Quarterly, 36(3), 293-312. doi:10.2307/2600774
