Many of you know my aphorism: “We live better than the kings of France.” And we generally do. Even the least well-off among us. But I have another one that Jan and our kids know well: “We have no problems at all.” And they know when I use this one as an empathetic reminder of our good fortune when something terrible happens in the world, from natural disasters to war and its consequences.
Right now, in the US, we have a big problem, one that only gets bigger by the day: the shutdown of the federal government. It’s affecting all sorts of services we rely on, including the issuing of the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Bureau of Economic analysis and the Census Bureau so we can try to figure out which way the economy, and the foodservice and E&S markets might be headed.
I’m going to have an interesting few weeks if the shutdown continues, seeking out other sources of data on the labor market, inflation and the like. You can see some of this in my report below on the labor market in September, using data sources other than the BLS monthly “Employment Situation” report, which was not released as scheduled Oct. 3.
But those are minor problems. Some are far bigger, such as air-traffic control and food inspection programs. And then there are the ones we should be most concerned about: the federal government food assistance programs. From child nutrition programs that feed kids in schools and seniors through various meals-on-wheels programs, to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to the one than appears most at risk, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, usually called WIC.
Many states have said they will continue to fund the WIC program even if federal support ends because of the shutdown. Various sources report that that could happen in as little as two weeks from the start of the shutdown. We’re now past a week- and-a-half of its onset. But according to a report by the Associated Press, some states don’t have the money to continue the program, which supports children by providing baby formula, fresh fruits and vegetables and other essential products. You can read about some of what’s happening here: FSD: USDA Prepares For Government Shutdown; AP: Govt. Shutdown Threatens WIC Funding
But I especially urge you to read this overview of the food impacts of the shutdown from Feeding America. Feeding America: How The Govt. Shutdown Will Affect Food Programs
And after you do, consider a donation either of money or product, and rally your colleagues and families to help out at local food banks. If you are a NAFEM member, you can help out through their program. NAFEM: Fighting Hunger.
Please.
Be well. Have fun. Do good.
Cheers, Robin
