The Food Supply Factors that affect the food supply

4 Factors Agriculture and the Environment Government Economics Technology

Agriculture and Environment Agriculture: use and knowledge and skill to tend soil, grow crops and raise livestock Requires a suitable environment Environment: refers to factors such as air, water, soil, mineral resources, plants and animals The relation of these factors affect the survival of life Food Crops require various temp., water, soil, etc.

Government Impacts food supply by making laws that govern how foods are  Grown  Packaged  Labeled  Exported and Imported 2 key federal agencies  United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): enforces standards for the quality and wholesomeness of meat, poultry and eggs  Food and Drug Administration (FDA): ensures the safety and wholesomeness of all other foods

Economics Law of Supply and Demand: consumers are willing to pay for a product, producers will provide it Food choices made by consumers in the US can impact world hunger Other factors that affect hunger  Little money  Old farm equipment  Lack of education

Technology Use of knowledge to develop improved methods for doing tasks 3 ways  Nutrient Content  Availability  Safety

Nutrient Content Food techs use expertise to affect the nutrient content of food Foods that have less of one component and more of others Consumers concerned with health issues related to foods Food Techs Developed  Artificial Sweeteners: products that sweeten food without adding the calories of sugar  Fat Replacers: products that cut the amount of fat in food while keeping the flavors and textures. Example: Olestra

Availability and Safety Availabiltiy: Food Techs trying to finds ways to feed a growing number of people Developing Plants that can resist diseases and pests and studying plants that can grow larger and faster Safety: Millions get sick each year Researchers are developing foods that are less likely to pass diseases Working to preserve foods and pack foods for safety To increase food supply

Assignment Complete Food Supply worksheet Finish Maslow's Poster if not already finished