Journal of Food: Microbiology, Safety & Hygiene
Open Access

A Brief Note on Food Distribution

Regina Nguyen^{* *}Correspondence: Regina Nguyen, Department of Food Science, University of Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil, Email:

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Description

Food distribution is the process of supplying food to a large population. Food distribution is regarded as a subset of the food system by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The process and methodology of food distribution differ depending on location. Food distribution has been a defining characteristic of human behavior in all societies, with records dating back thousands of years. The systems designed to support food distribution have had a significant impact on most governments and societies. A wide range of risk factors can have an impact on food distribution. War, economic failure, political issues, and weather conditions all contribute to the efficiency of any food system. Special organizations exist today to prevent total food distribution collapses, to aid in the development of food distribution and food systems in underdeveloped areas, and to respond to food distribution crises. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) plays a critical role at the international level in facilitating the expansion of food distribution systems around the world. At the national level, different countries have developed more complex support systems; for example, in the United States, a mix of federal, non-profit, and volunteer organizations work to ensure the well-being of the US food distribution system. Food insecurity is a problem in the United States, and one of the most effective ways to address it is through food distribution. The Roman Republic and Empire provided clear and defined documentation of historical food distribution. Many Roman rulers and emperors tried to figure out the best way to distribute food throughout the Mediterranean, and as the Roman people's needs changed over time, so did their leaders' plans. The annona rose to prominence in Roman food distribution in the centuries following Christ's death. As the Empire expanded and access to certain foods changed, the demand for grain and wine skyrocketed, becoming a defining feature of Roman food culture. Following the fall of the Romans, prominent societies faced the ever-present dilemma of food distribution. In the last century, the distribution systems of the United States and Latin America have evolved in distinct ways and faced distinct challenges. The food distribution system in the United States is vast in size and strength, and it is dominated by corporations and industry. Current food distribution methods in the United States rely on the country's advanced infrastructure and transportation network. Food distribution differs from that of the United States in less developed parts of the world, such as Latin America. Grain, fruits, olive oil, meat, and wine were staples of the traditional Roman diet. Grain was the most important to the Romans out of all of these. It is estimated that at its peak, Rome required 150,000 tons of grain and millions of liters of water and wine per year to survive. It was traditionally the Roman government's responsibility to ensure that there was enough food for distribution among the people. In times of scarcity, poor harvests, or pirate interference, the government made certain that its obligation to food distribution was met. Officials would sometimes buy food for them and then resell it to the public at a low or no cost.