Food prices and food crisis

I've been hearing reports of this issue for several days now. This morning on the news they said the price of rice has tripled and Americans are starting to horde it. The price of wheat has at least doubled. But at least we have access to food, even if prices are rising. Many people all over the world are facing a dire situation.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/23/8476/

Food Crisis Needs Aid to Avert Famine
By Ben Russell

Pressure for international action to combat the “silent tsunami” of the global food crisis intensified amid warnings that spiraling prices means more than 100 million people could be plunged into hunger.
[ . . . ]
The British Government rowed back from its support for biofuels, announcing a review of the technology and warning that ministers would press for cuts in European biofuel targets if they are found to hit food prices.

Mr Brown said: “We need to look closely at the impact of biofuels on food prices and the environment.” The European Commission also pledged nearly £100m to help the worst-hit regions. Estimates suggest that 25,000 people are dying daily from hunger, a crisis exacerbated by food prices that have hit their highest level since 1945.
[ . . . ]
The Prime Minister said that food shortages represented a crisis on a par with the global turmoil in the financial markets, and threatened the stability of nations. There have been food riots on Haiti and unrest in a string of countries including Egypt, Mozambique, Senegal and Indonesia.

Leaders in South America have also warned about the impact of biofuel production on food supply.