Food Technology Unit 1 - Food Security

Food Security

• Defined as a human right ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for a healthy lifestyle.
• Dimensions include physical availability, economic and physical access, and food utilization based on nutritional knowledge.
• Factors contributing to food insecurity are often interconnected, such as:
  • Financialization of food treating it as a commodity instead of a right.
  • Market dominance by multinational agribusinesses limits access for small-scale farmers.
  • Land scarcity and 'land grabbing' by large businesses force small farmers out.
  • Production of biofuels detracting from food supply.
  • Natural disasters and conflicts leading to food shortages.
  • Unfair trade practices disadvantaging smaller producers.
  • Extensive food wastage at all stages of the food chain.

Historical Changes to Food Availability

• Global migration introduces new foods to local diets, establishing them as staples when they provide major energy sources, are cost-effective, and widely accessible.
• Native Australian food practices involved cyclical movement following seasonal sources, ensuring sustainable consumption and resource management.
• Aboriginal peoples practiced sustainable land management, optimizing resources through techniques like firestick farming.

Contemporary Use of Australian Native Foods

• Increasing localism and ingredient transparency leads to incorporation of native Australian flavors into modern cuisine.

Role of Technology in Food Production

• Technology transforms food production, manufacturing, and distribution, impacting:
  • Processing techniques (e.g., sous vide).
  • Production types (mass, batch, one-off).
  • Resource utilization (energy, water).
  • Tools and machinery for domestic and commercial use.
  • Storage and distribution systems, including supermarkets and local markets.

Food Production Processes

• Rise of agricultural systems enabled surpluses and economic stability.
• Subsistence agriculture focuses on self-sufficiency with some surplus for sale.
• Industrial agriculture supports larger populations in developed areas, reducing the number of farmers needed.

Types of Food Processing

• Minimal Processing:

  • Includes fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and nuts; cleaned and sorted with minimal additives.

• Moderate Processing:

  • Ingredients added for safety and preservation while retaining recognizable forms; examples include jarred sauces and yogurts.

• Heavily Processed:

  • Composed of multiple ingredients with obscure origins; examples are frozen meals, cereals, and soft drinks.

Farming Practices

• Hunting and Gathering:

  • No formal production; relies on natural resources.

• Subsistence Agriculture:

  • Limited production aimed at personal consumption with small surpluses for trade.

• Industrialized Agriculture:

  • High production levels focused on national and international market selling.

Explore the crucial concept of food security in this quiz, which covers the right to access safe and nutritious food. Understand the elements of food availability and selection necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Test your knowledge on the physical, social, and economic aspects that contribute to food access.