Food
Food is any substance[1] consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essentialnutrients, such as fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is ingested by an organism and assimilated by the organism's cellsto provide energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth.
Historically, people secured food through two methods: hunting and gathering and agriculture. Today, the majority of the food energyrequired by the ever increasing population of the world is supplied by the food industry. * 15Further reading * 16External links
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Food sources

Tractor and Chaser bin
Main articles: Agriculture, Food industry and Genetically modified food
Most food has always been obtained through agriculture. With increasing concern over both the methods and products of modernindustrial agriculture, there has been a growing trend toward sustainable agricultural practices. This approach, partly fueled by consumer demand, encourages biodiversity, local self-reliance and organic farming methods.[10] Major influences on food production include international organizations (e.g. the World Trade Organization and Common Agricultural Policy), national government policy (or law), and war.[11]
In popular culture, the mass production of food, specifically meats such as chicken and beef, has come under fire from variousdocumentaries, most recently Food, Inc, documenting the mass slaughter and poor treatment of animals, often for easier revenues fromlarge corporations. Along with a current trend towards environmentalism, people in Western culture have had an increasing trend towards the use of herbal supplements, foods for a specific group of people (such as dieters, women, or athletes), functional foods (fortified foods, such as omega-3 eggs), and a more ethnically diverse diet.[12]
Several organisations have begun calling for a new kind of agriculture in which agroecosystems provide food but also support vital ecosystem services so that soil fertility andbiodiversity are maintained rather than compromised. According to the International Water Management Institute and UNEP, well-managed agroecosystems not only provide food, fiber and animal products, they also provide services such as flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, erosion control and habitats for plants, birds fish and other animals.[13]
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Taste perception
Salty

Salt mounds in Bolivia.

SeaWiFS image for the global biosphere

Global average daily calorieconsumption in 1995

Food imports in 2005

Population density of world regions
International food imports and exports
The World Bank reported that the European Union was the top food importer in 2005, followed at a distance by the USA and Japan.Britain's need for food was especially well illustrated in World War II. Despite the implementation of food rationing, Britain remained dependent on food imports and the result was a long term engagement in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Food is traded and marketed on a global basis. The variety and availability of food is no longer restricted by the diversity of locally grown food or the limitations of the local growing season.[45] Between 1961 and 1999, there was a 400% increase in worldwide food exports.[46]Some countries are now economically dependent on food exports, which in some cases account for over 80% of all exports.[47]