Intro: Corn, Egg, and Coffee (02:35)

FREE PREVIEW

Jimmy asks shoppers about rising food prices. Coffee, eggs, and bread have become much more expensive over the last six years.

Buying Habits (02:20)

Rising food prices are changing the way people shop. Consumers are less loyal to stores and buy less food. The rise of industrial agriculture pushed food prices down.

Corn Production (04:18)

Supermarkets have tried to keep cereal prices stable. The price of corn has more than doubled since 2008. U.S. race cars run on ethanol. Barack Obama supports bio-fuels.

Ethanol Production (02:48)

The bio-fuel revolution has created a big market for corn in North America. Farmers have reaped the benefits of high corn prices.

The Corn Belt (02:00)

Before bio-fuels, corn prices were determined by harvest and weather. Farmers can sell corn at the highest price for food or fuel.

Corn Surplus (02:44)

Corn syrup is found in many foods in the U.S. Corn is one of the most important animal feeds in modern agriculture. More expensive livestock means more expensive food.

Price of Efficient Mass Production (02:15)

Eggs prices have increased 80% over the last ten years. Jimmy asks shoppers about food prices.

Battery Farming (03:35)

After World War II, farmers moved egg production inside and created a mechanized system for efficient mass production.

Colony Farming (03:26)

In 2012, a new system was introduced to reform battery farms in Britain. This is better for animal welfare while still being cost efficient. High cost feed raises the cost of eggs.

Mutually Beneficial Farming (04:14)

Most eggs in the U.S. are produced from battery farming. A farmer in Illinois is trying an alternative approach to agriculture.

Arabica Beans (01:34)

There has been a shift to freshly brewed coffee. Jimmy asks shoppers about rising prices.

Addis Ababba (03:10)

Jimmy visits Ethiopia to get to the bottom of rising coffee prices. In the last 15 years, demand has increased by 450%. It is one of the most valuable trading commodities in the world.

Man Powered Farms (03:46)

Almost all coffee in Ethiopia is grown on small farms in remote areas. Jimmy gets an up close look at how coffee is grown and harvested.

Coffee Rust (03:46)

Arabica plants are sensitive to weather and disease. In 2008, the Columbia coffee crop was affected and coffee prices doubled. Climate change is impacting farms in Ethiopia.

Robusta Coffee (01:47)

This plant's resilience could stabilize the price of coffee in the face of global warming. Ethiopian experts do not think it can place Arabica beans.

Future of Coffee (01:59)

Scientists have begun gathering the best attributes of Arabica to create a new coffee that will not be affected by climate change.

Summary and Next On... (01:19)

Super efficient farming transformed corn from food to fuel. The coffee industry could be in trouble from disease. Learn what will foods will be explored on the next episode.

Credits: Corn, Egg and Coffee: Jimmy and the Food Price Hike (00:00)

Credits: Corn, Egg and Coffee: Jimmy and the Food Price Hike