Author Archives: Ruth Levine

About Ruth Levine

is Director of the Global Development and Population Program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Earlier in her career, she was Director of Learning, Evaluation and Research at the US Agency for International Development, and Vice President for Programs at the Center for Global Development. She also served in several capacities at the World Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank.

Can Philanthropy Feed The World?: A Review Of David Rieff’s The Reproach Of Hunger

The world has done a remarkable job of feeding itself. Despite population growth, the Food and Agriculture Organization reports that the prevalence of hunger in most parts of the developing world has declined from 18.2 percent in 2002 to 13.5 percent in 2013. In part, this is because food itself has become more affordable. Prices of staple foods have declined (with occasional blips): in 1995 the average price for maize was about $350 per ton, in 1995 it was about $200 per ton, and last Continue reading →