Could these weather conditions be the beginning of something much worse? Or even create a perfect storm that will lead to the beginning of the end of America’s vitality?

Farmers providing vegetables to Sysco’s distribution warehouses have invoked a contractual ‘Act of God Clause’ due to severe weather related crop damage of between 80% to 100%.

The best case scenario is poverty. The worst case is essentially a complete all out systemic meltdown.

Up until last month or so, the price explosion on global commodity markets wasn’t being felt by retail buyers of food stuffs, but that is about to change – in fact, it’s changing right now.

Had someone forecast in 2007 that the rate of food stamp participation would nearly double by 2011 few would have believed it, likely dismissing the thought as lunacy. But this chart shows that the prediction would not have been too far off. And given that the employment situation remains bleak, while commodity prices around the world continue to rise, we would not be at all surprised to see the participation rate accelerate and reach 50 million within the next 18 months.

The average person is now being hit from multiple sides, and they’re getting hit where it hurts the most. Add a healthy dose of Wall Street speculation to the monetary and inventory pressures on food and you’ve got a serious situation developing. One that will leave many people without the ability to acquire the absolute basic necessities to survive.

All of it [Food] is up at inflation rates that are in pure hyperinflation territory – all of these changes in price are over the last TWO TO THREE MONTHS! Annualized that rate of change and you see terrifying numbers – from clean doubles to quadruples.

If you were dying of thirst in the middle of the desert, would you give up your family heirloom diamonds, in exchange for a gallon of water? The answer is obvious—yes.

As global consumption of oil continues to increase because of new demand from countries like China and India, the US military worries that by 2015, demand for oil will outweigh the world’s ability to supply it.

Whether you are planning for a collapse of our economic system, or simply want to diversify your assets in such a way that you don’t lose everything all at once in a massive stock market or real estate crash, gold is an investment you’ve probably considered.

Despite what we’ve heard from our benevolent leaders, we don’t think this economic crisis is over.

We are commodities – livestock – living within a variety of different systems of management (capitalism, socialism, communism, fascism, etc.).

Some time in the next few years we’re going to have very serious shortages of food everywhere in the world and prices are going to go through the roof.

“I think one of the most important things the average American household can do with its money is prepare for the day when inflation will be generalized.”

There is overwhelming, undeniable evidence that the world will run out of food next year.

While it seems that most market participants are looking for a continued rise in stock prices and deterioration of the US Dollar in the near-term, leading contrarian investors like Karl Denninger, Marc Faber, Bob Hoye and Harry Dent have a different take.

The National Inflation Association brings us Hyperinflation Nation, a documentary about the causes of inflationary enviroments, how we got here and where we are headed. Features appearances by Marc Faber, Gerald Celente, Peter Schiff, and Ron Paul.

Looking for a safe investment during a global economic crisis? Hint: Try gold. It rises during inflation. It rises during deflation.

The Independent UK warns that A billion to go hungry with food prices back on rise as demand from a growing global population strains food supplies.

T. Boone Pickens weighs in on the oil conversation on CNN Money, June 19, 2009

In his June 2009 Gloom Boom Doom report, Dr. Marc Faber suggested we may see a correction into late June, and possibly even longer, as financial markets in the US give back some of the gains since the March 6 lows.

In an interview on June 9, 2009 with King World News, Dr. Marc Faber discusses his ideas on quantitative easing, the potential for hyperinflation, US equity markets, commodities and Asian market entry points.

Commodities guru Jim Rogers on CNBC Asia Squak Box May 19, 2009. Mr. Rogers discusses commodities, US financial markets, Asian markets, and investment ideas.

Jim Rogers appears on CNBC to discuss current market conditions on April 1, 2009.

Jim Rogers hosts Marc Faber and Daniel Jurgen for dinner and discussion at his home.