The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-03
Americas Food Supply
Not Endangered By War
BY CLARENCE FRANCIS,
President, General Foods
Corporation

Corporation
Someone asks, "Is Europe's she'll
fire going to disrupt the American
dinner tablet" Again, Taking for
granted that we remain at peace,
are we due for food shortages dur-
ing 1902"
The answer, if you carefully sur
vey u unique industrial and
agricultural system, is that-barring
catastrophes of weather and insect
1nfestations-the American people
have within their own capacities
and resources the continuance of
enough to eat.
Despite war and drought, there
are today extensive supplies in the
United States of many of the best
foods in the world. Abnormal ex-
tension Of agricultural productive
capacity does not appear warrant
ed in most lines.
Here are some all-over figures
which round out the picture in a
significant way:
Because of the drought in the
Great Plains, the 1910 wheat crop
appears to be below domestic re-
quirements, thereby indicating a re-
duction in the current surplus. APP
proximately 157,O0O,O0o bushels Of
wheat were under federal loan in
November as compared with 49,
000.0 bushels a year ago. Sup
plies Of wheat in the United States
are $4,000, 900 bushels smaller than
a year ago. according to govern
ment statistics, although the 1899
crop was about 100000, 900 bushels
less than 1888 production.
The 1889 pig crop was n of the
five largest on record. Per capita
production Of meat and lard next year
may be the largest since 1888. Ton
mage of deciduous fruits in 1899 was
about 16 per cent larger than the
1928-37 average. The supply Of can
ned and dried fruits is heavier than
in 1888. Substantial increases in
vegetables acreage in 1910 prob
ably will be necessary to cover
1940-41 consumption needs and pro-
vide average carry-overs. Produc-
ton of II major vegetable crops for
manufacture in 1899 was about 20
per cent below that of 1888.
The demand for quality quick
frozen foods steadily grows. In the
case Of General Foods, larger packs
Of fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry,
and seafood will be scheduled in
1910 to supply the larger volume
expected in its Birds Eye quick
frozen foods division.
Unless the area Of hostilities
spreads substantially beyond present
boundaries, the foreign war should
have little material effect on essen
tial food imports to this country.
The majority Of food professors and
distributors do not import materials
from Europe. AS regards exports,
shipping conditions are disturbing
the course of trade between Hlro-
pean countries and their peacetime
suppliers. The British have lost
supplies Of meat and lard from some
Of the nearby sources. England may
look to the United States for larger
amounts Of these and certain other
products.
America eats-and eats well!
The tonnage volume of food sold
in 1889 reached record levels. Reflect
ing this improved volume, earning
power of the industry averaged
somewhat higher than in 1888.
For the duration Of the war, the
trend is likely to be for distributors
and housewives alike to carry some
what larger supplies than usual.
Everyone asks, What about
%prices?" Bear this in mind: Food
prices will give the consumer all
possible breaks" Why? Because
while ours is the nations largest
industry, it also is perhaps the
most competitive. In 1910 various
factors may make the prices of
foods somewhat higher. Commodity
markets have been rising. Some
costs. aside from raw materials,
will be higher. However, keen
competition, research, and efficiency
in the industry should tend to keep
price advances moderate.