The Influences of

Agriculture, Technology,

Economics, and Politics

Chapter 2, part 2

In t

he U

.S. Most people have

many foods available

to them. This is not the case for many people throughout the

world.”

What factors affect the availability of food?

Agriculture and Land Use Food production is plentiful when these resources are

available: Fertile soil – in some regions soil quality is too poor to support

crop growth. Ex. - in the Andes Mountains only hardy crops grow, like potatoes so they have become a staple food to people in Chile, Peru and Bolivia

Adequate water supply - water resources are at risk of being depleted

Favorable climate – Citrus fruits require warm temperatures for an extended time so most oranges come from Florida, Israel, and Spain.

Technical knowledge – through experience and scientific study, farmers have learned ways to increase crop production (fertilizers, planting techniques)

Human energy – needed to plant seeds and harvest crops, when other resources aren’t available, takes more human energy. In the Midwest, a farmer can produce enough grain to feed thousands, in Afghanistan (lack of rain, machinery, chemicals) many farmers barely produce enough food to feed their families.

Technology Science, technology, and transportation resources

In the U.S., shoppers find New Zealand kiwifruit and Mexican mangoes.

Technology - the application of a certain body of knowledge

Modern farming machinery, faster food-processing systems, rapid transportation

Food biotechnology – uses knowledge of plant science and genetics to develop plants and animals with specific desirable traits/eliminates traits not wanted.

Pros/Cons?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGqQV6ObFCQ

Aseptic packaging – technology that preserves quality and extends shelf life of food

The Economics of Food If a country cannot afford the agricultural

supplies or technological aids, food production is limited Lack of resources to build food-processing plants

and store food safely could result in up to 40% of crops being lost to spoilage and contamination.

In wealthy countries, food prices and availability are also affected by global events and situations When drought affects rice-growing countries and

production decreases, the price of rice in the local supermarket goes up, too.

The Politics of Food

People with political power make most of the decisions (i.e. what land will be used for food production) The U.S. government sets many policies that

relate to the food supply Products imported from other countries

How food is produced and processed

Label information

Nutrition Knowledge Affects Food Choices

Question: Should you avoid vegetable oil because it is high in cholesterol? If you said yes, you would be agreeing with

68% of respondents to a nationwide survey. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. Vegetable oil

comes from a plant source, and therefore contains no cholesterol.

Other examples that reflect a lack of knowledge…

Certain foods have magical powers (eating an apple every day will not end your need for medical care)

Taking vitamin and mineral pills eliminates the need to eat nutritious foods (no pill can replace the nutrients supplied by a nutritious diet)

Foods grown without chemical pesticides have greater nutritional value than other foods (foods grown with and without chemical pesticides have similar nutritional value)

Nutrition Knowledge Affects Food Choices

Where do you look for information about nutrition? Friends?

Relatives?

Books?

Magazines?

TV?

Internet?

Make sure you are finding reliable info – reviewed by registered dietitians, doctors, and health experts