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Located in a non-descript building in Federal Way, World Vision helps feed millions of people worldwide.

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – As the price of food continues to go up, one staple in particular is skyrocketing: rice.

A rice shortage is creating worldwide concern, and one local relief agency fears it is going to get much worse.

Located in a non-descript building in Federal Way, World Vision helps feed millions of people worldwide. The group provides basic staples to people around the world. One of the most common is rice, but it's getting harder and harder to find and deliver it to the hungry.

Relentless demand from developing countries and poor crop yields have pushed rice prices up 70 percent so far this year and it's only April.

World Vision expects the crisis to get a lot worse.

"We're hearing reports from our staff that people are faced with going without bread, without rice and just drinking tea in some communities, which is obviously unsustainable," said Rachel Wolff.

Severe weather has wiped out harvests of grain around the world and sparked food hoarding in Asia and other countries. Combine that with other factors including the high price of oil, and some call it a perfect storm.

"I think some factors have come together in what I've called a perfect storm," said Josette Sheeran, executive director of the World Food Program.

Caught in the middle of it are the world's poor, who now face even more dire circumstance.

"Already this year we expect to feed one and a half million fewer people than we did last year at a time when we should be feeding more people," Wolff said.

The price of rice is expected to continue to rise.

The two biggest chains of warehouse stores in this country are now limiting how much rice customers can buy in bulk. Sam's Club has followed the move of Seattle-based Costco by restricting bulk rice purchases.

One rice expert says the decision may be a reaction - not to supply shortages - but to stockpiling by restaurants and smaller stores.

The USA Rice Federation says there is no rice shortage in this country. But some stores may be buying in bulk now to avoid higher prices down the road.