TWELVE MYTHS OF HUNGER

Myth 1: Not Enough Food to Go Around

The myth claims food is insufficient globally, but hunger exists due to distribution inequality—not lack of food.

Myth 2: Nature’s to Blame

The myth says hunger is caused by natural disasters like droughts, but famines are mostly due to political and economic failures.

Myth 3: Too Many Mouths to Feed

The myth blames overpopulation, though hunger persists even in countries with low population growth; the issue is resource allocation.

Myth 4: Food vs. Environment

The myth argues feeding the hungry destroys the environment, but sustainable agriculture can protect ecosystems while feeding people.

Myth 5: The Green Revolution is the Answer

The myth claims miracle seeds fix hunger; while yields increased, the Green Revolution often bypassed the poor and created new inequalities.

Myth 6: Justice vs. Production (We Need Large Farms)

The myth says only large farms can be productive, but small farms often produce more per hectare and support local communities.

Myth 7: The Free Market Can End Hunger

The myth states that unregulated markets and benevolent corporations solve hunger, but free markets often concentrate wealth and worsen inequality.

Myth 8: Free Trade is the Answer

The myth claims free trade boosts prosperity, yet it often harms local farmers and prioritizes exports over domestic food security.

Myth 9: Too Hungry to Fight for Their Rights

The myth says the poor are too passive to demand change; in reality, the poor often lead social movements and resist oppression.

Myth 10: More U.S. Aid Will Help the Hungry

The myth claims foreign aid solves hunger, but much aid is tied to political or corporate interests and may not reach the hungry.

Myth 11: We Benefit from Their Poverty

The myth argues wealthy nations need poor nations for cheap goods; in truth, reducing global poverty strengthens global markets and stability.

Myth 12: Food vs. Freedom

The myth claims eliminating hunger requires sacrificing freedoms, but societies can expand both food security and democratic rights simultaneously.