In reviewing the popular literature on hunger and development, one is struck by the repeated use of the term “myth.” The word appears prominently in the title of two widely read books by Frances Moore Lappe and Joseph Collins, and is a important term of analysis in books or articles by James Sellers (1976), Thomas T. Poleman (1977), Jean Mayer (1979), Nick Eberstadt (1980), and Gigi M. Berardi (1985). Within the context of a literature that also includes multiple references to “misleading metaphors,” and to “false bad news,” not to mention seemingly countless titles that promise “the reality,” the word “myth” is simply used to denote false or even foolish beliefs. Although food policy authors do not all agree on what is myth and what is fact, they all seem to share the belief that failure to grasp the facts underlies the confusion and disagreement over food policy. This failure is relevant to the philosophical literature on famine and hunger, for philosophically trained authors have exhibited an astonishing ability to display ignorance of easily obtainable information on food availability. As much philosophical writing on food policy is premised on false beliefs about the world food situation, policy analysts have found it easy to ignore.