Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

very scary...why does it feel like even moving to a deserted island is not going to help??

The Chocolate and Zucchini blog author just published a book on food shops and restaurants in Paris:
http://www.amazon.com/Clotildes-Edible-Adventures-Clotilde-Dusoulier/dp/0767926137?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208888070&sr=8-1

I'd definitely trust her.

Check out the chocolate and zucchini blog. Lots of info there. And also David Liebowitz.

There are too many factors at hand. Biofuel, crop failures, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, currency shifts, the Chinese eating more meat.

Such a complicated issue and SO many factors not mentioned...

Regionally ill-considered agriculture -- e.g., irrigated high-water-demand crops like rice, wheat, cotton in Australia (the Earth's second most arid continent), California, etc. -- is it drought or poor planning?

Unchecked population growth in regions unable to sustain large populations -- e.g., many if not most LDCs (least-developed countries or fourth-world countries)

Political corruption and/or civil unrest and/or human rights abuses -- e.g., dictatorial governments in LDCs intentionally starving their people, choosing not to build infrastructure, etc.

LDCs largely shut out of the world food market by agri subsidies in developed nations -- e.g., USA, EU, etc.

Increasing desertification of the African continent -- note, due not to so-called climate change, but poor agricultural practices like deforestation, overgrazing, etc.

Starvation in most LDCs has been shown to be due to political corruption and widespread poverty much more than actual food production issues. Food aid from Western nations relates to excess agricultural product (which ties to subsidies) more than the recipient countries' actual needs.

Throwing food at the problem is not the solution, but that's what the U.N. and developed Western nations will do. We have a long history of treating symptoms rather than curing the underlying illness.

Where are you going to be?

Places in the 5th arrondissement (Latin Quarter) where I stayed last year:

Academie de la Biere - http://www.academie-biere.com/

Ribouldingue (make reservations, or get there earlier)

There are so many places, many of them pricey and such. But usually any small quaint bistro is excellent. I spent a week there in Paris and the Loire valley and the worst meal I had was still great!

Check this out too if you plan on being near the 5th district http://www.chowhound.com/topics/410823

What was most startling to me in the past few weeks was learning that the grain supply (that for a number of years has always been stockpiled for the purpose of helping other countries in worse shape than ourselves) had been depleted.

While it may be difficult for us it is much worse for others in other parts of the world. There are parts of the world that are not fertile - and the challenge stands: How and where to find the food to keep those people alive also, from the resources enjoyed by we who are luckier.