food banks

A Reuters poll of economists indicates the Reserve Bank of India is expected to raise its key interest rate to 5.50% at its October meeting. The anticipated hike reflects growing concern that inflation in India is broadening beyond food and fuel into core categories, putting pressure on the central bank to tighten policy further despite growth risks.

The African Development Bank has put in place a crisis response framework that could channel up to $5.1bn to help African countries cope with shocks to energy prices and fertiliser supplies. The facility is aimed at easing the impact of global price spikes and supply disruptions on food production and power costs across the continent.

Ukrainian forces delivered four tons of food to residents of Oleshky, a town in Kherson region under Russian occupation, using drones, regional authorities said. The operation highlights Kyiv's effort to support civilians cut off in occupied territory along the Dnipro River, and comes amid ongoing strikes and flooding aftermath affecting communities on the Russian-held bank.

The Swiss National Bank is tracking how summer heat is affecting food prices, with hot weather potentially reducing crop yields and pushing up grocery inflation. The development matters because food costs feed directly into Switzerland's inflation outlook, which the central bank weighs when setting interest rate policy. No further details on the bank's assessment were given.

A South China Morning Post exclusive reports that the New Development Bank, the Brics bank headquartered in China and often called the Brics bank, is set to take on a leading role in a global alliance against hunger this year, according to Brazil. The report suggests Brazil has indicated the bank will head the hunger alliance effort within the Brics grouping. Beyond the single headline, there is little detail in the available posts about how the arrangement would work or what the bank's exact responsibilities would be, and broader public reaction is not visible.

Swiss National Bank chairman Martin Schlegel says the central bank is monitoring how hot weather could push up food prices and feed into inflation. The comments highlight growing attention among policymakers to climate and weather shocks as a potential driver of consumer prices, alongside traditional inflation pressures.

Swiss National Bank chairman Martin Schlegel said the central bank is monitoring how this summer's hot weather could push up food prices and feed into inflation. Extreme heat can damage harvests across Europe, lifting agricultural costs, and the bank is weighing whether such effects could influence its outlook for price stability in Switzerland.

Swiss National Bank chairman Martin Schlegel said the summer heatwave pushed up food prices, particularly fresh produce, but argued this does not constitute broader inflation in Switzerland. His comments, reported alongside new statistics, aim to clarify how temporary supply-side shocks differ from underlying price pressures as the central bank weighs its monetary policy stance.

Bank of America has highlighted two top stock picks in the UK food retail sector, saying the outlook for the industry remains resilient despite cost pressures on shoppers and retailers. The bank's analysts see grocers as well positioned to keep performing, and investors are weighing which UK supermarket names offer the best value as the sector holds up better than expected.

Florida has introduced new restrictions on SNAP, the federal food assistance program, prompting concern from those who work closest to the issue. Food banks say they are preparing for greater demand as benefit rules tighten, while dietitians are questioning how the restrictions will affect the diets and health of low-income residents. The debate is unfolding as hunger-relief organizations brace for the practical consequences of the policy change.