According to the World Bank, even with one per cent increase in food prices, the energy intake among the poor drops 0.5 per cent.

But the FAO warns that the current price rise is unlike usual seasonal variations and is expected to continue, putting sustained strain on family food intake.

Popular grains getting costlier

Jowar and sorghum, cheaper than wheat and rice, have traditionally been the staple grain for the poorest of the poor, landless labour and manual workers such as porters, both in villages and semi-urban areas.

“Jowar prices have doubled over the last year. Ninety per cent of people in North Karnataka use Jowar for roti, flour cakes. We are finding it difficult to purchase this,” says a young man from Malchapura in Bidar District.

ActionAid partner organisations across nine districts of Karnataka worked with local communities to compile data on rising food prices and their impact.

Association of porters, Cooli Karmikara Sangha, based in Gulbarga District, reveal: “For the last three to four months the price of rice in government shops has raised from Rs. 12.00 to Rs. 18.00. Many of us are having rice-only meals to fill our stomachs. Everything else is too expensive.”

Food basket shrinking

Across the board food price rise is also causing changes in nutritional balance as oil, vegetables and fruits are disappearing from kitchens of low and middle income families.

“We are six members and our daily earning is between Rs. 50 to 60.  With the current price rise we need Rs. 100 to just foot the bill for our three meals,” says Anjali, a housewife, from Bhavaninagar.

“We eat vegetables only occasionally when some of the basic vegetables get cheaper. We also depend on the remaining food items given by the people at the work place,” she adds.