Our Modern Food Distribution System

In this modern world we use a complex food distribution chain system. We can have whatever we want at any time and season and from anywhere in the world. Just imagine! As someone said, "The world comes to us every time we go shopping the grocery store."

The food distribution system works this way:

1. Growers: grow the food

2. Processors: convert the raw product

3. Transportation: transport food from production to distribution centers

4. Packagers: package and grade the product into retail units

5. Warehouse operators/Distribution centers: store the food for future use

6. Retail Grocers: market, display, and sell the product to costumers

This system has its pros and cons. Pros: It's highly efficient for mass distribution. Also, we eat like kings! Food has never been cheaper, especially in the USA. It's so cheap that we see buffets offering a wide variety of food and all you can eat. Every time we enter a buffet it's like being in a banquet. And in other times banquets were reserved for the very rich, kings, special occasions, weddings, etc. Now we take it for granted. 

Cons: Cheap food uses fertilizers and pesticides from petroleum and other chemical products. In fact, we're eating petroleum in our food (read the book, "The Ommivorous Dilemma"). Cheap food is also many times genetically modifed, but studies are scarce and uncertain. However, the biggest con I find in the modern food distribution system is that it can lead to hunger in different parts of the world. Large fields in many countries are reserved for a particular crop. Big growers can do well in business, but not small growers, who usually have to sell their land and migrate to cities to find work. If there are only big growers and their crops fail, what happens? Lack of food, but in big quantities that feed many people in different countries. Hunger. Also, whenever people get sick because of eating a particular food and the FDA notices it's tainted food, it orders the company to recall thousands or even millions of pounds of it. 

Now, imagine the opposite. Small growers do well in business and even home owners are encouraged to grow some food in their yard. They sell directly to their community and sorrounding areas, and the surplus is sold to cities and even other countries. Homeowners buy only what they need and don't grow. If the small growers' crops fail, starvation will only happen in that area. Not in a large area or even in a country.  Also, with local food growers, tainted food will only be a local issue.

So the best option is to encourage local food production. Even organic food is not a good option if it's grown far away. We may still want (for comfort) large food productions such as rice, wheat, etc., but local food production is by far the best choice. So everytime we see a local market, let's stop and support it. And maybe we too can learn to grow food, which can bring joy to our lives.