Neil: I'm Neil.
Rob: And I'm Rob.
Neil: Do you know where the food on your plate comes from?
Many people just assume that shops will always be ready with a cheap and plentiful supply.
Rob: But recently a lack of certain foods in the UK, a situation known as a food shortage,
has left supermarket shelves empty of everyday items like eggs, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Some see these food supply problems,
which were caused by unusually cold weather combined with rising energy prices,
as a warning not to take a reliable supply for food for granted.
Neil: Like many countries, the UK imports much of its food from abroad,
and for years has enjoyed a stable and affordable supply.
But with changes in the world economy, inflation, and the effects of climate change,
how much longer will this continue?
In this programme, we'll be finding out,
and as usual, learning some useful, new vocabulary as well.
Rob: A reliable food supply is essential.
In fact, there's an English expression about the dangers of not having enough food for everyone:
'we are only nine meals away...' but, 'away from' what, Neil? Is it:
a) arevolution? b) anarchy? or c) famine?
Neil: I guess the expression goes: we're only nine meals away from revolution.