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Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil and I'm Rob.

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.

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 of food for granted.

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.

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 meal?

Is it A, a revolution? B, anarchy or C, famine?

I guess the expression goes where only nine meals away from revolution.

Okay, I'll reveal the answer later on.

Besides difficulties in importing food, some countries are also producing less food than they used to.

In the UK, many farmers are selling their apple orchards to housing developers

rather than struggle with increasing production costs.

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