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Home > Food Technology > Contemporary food issues - Nutrition > Influences on the food supply

Nutrition

Influences on the food supply

In the option strand, Contemporary food issues: Nutrition, you will learn about influences on nutritional status. This tutorial focuses on the role of the individual, the food industry, government organisations and private agencies in promoting health.

Outcomes
This material addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:

H2.1 A student evaluates the relationship between food, its production, consumption, promotion and health.

Extract from Stage 6 Food Technology Syllabus Board of Studies NSW 1999.

 Food consumption patterns are influenced by a mix of social, cultural, physiological and economic factors as well as availability and cost.

Most Australian individuals and communities are dependent upon food chain systems for the security of their food supply. Access to good quality food is a significant determinant in what people eat and their subsequent health. The food chain system is far more complex than the trade and retailing that occurs from farm to plate.

Impact of built environment on food supply

Some researchers have examined the broad nature of the food environment in Australia. Production of food near cities, particularly for fresh fruit and vegetables is affected by the built environment, transport planning, food retail zoning and land use planning.

Housing design determines storage space and kitchen facilities for food, while design of commercial and public buildings can affect how comfortable women feel when breastfeeding. Many people live in areas where they travel substantial distance to supermarkets or they rely on convenience stores for their primary supplies especially if they do not have a car, so foods they consume may be chosen for their price rather than nutrition.

Impact

Food production is a substantial contributor to the Australian economy by providing export revenue and job opportunities. Consumers however are often oblivious to the fads of the market' which can be enough to put a small farmer out of business. They can still purchase tomatoes whether they are from Spain or Brisbane.

Organic farming, permaculture, sustainable water management and land care are amongst the issues facing agricultural communities and viable food supplies. Issues of health in farming often involve the use of fertilisers and pesticide which can leave residues and negatively affect the environment. Consequently there is much debate about the nutritive and environmental benefits of organic farming where chemicals are not used, but which also increases the expense of food.

 Nutrition knowledge

Knowledge about nutrition also has a positive effect on food consumption and for this reason schools encourage and teach health related nutrition information. Some schools and communities have enhanced well being by developing vegetable gardens which have developed healthy food preferences particularly in children.

When faced with thousands of food choices, Australians do not always choose wisely. Food promotion influences what consumers believe, buy and eat. Scientific sounding jargon makes claims about food sound convincing but the commercial influence means nutrition facts are skewed to certain products. It is more profitable for food companies to produce value added products that can be packaged with nutritional claims. How can fruit and vegetables have a label to champion their cause? Food promotion involves a wide range of food areas from new product development, food marketing and market research.

A look around the food environment provides many examples of factors that undermine healthy eating and make healthy choices difficult. Price, availability and promotion of food often favour less healthy options. It is clear that government, the food industry and related community groups have a role in promoting healthy relationships with food.

Consider the following nutrition issue

Fund raising chocolates and confectionery are often sold by schools and community groups as a simple way to raise much needed money with a minimum of effort and a maximum of profit. However in reality it raises many issues and involves significant effort by the fund raising group.

Often similar products can be purchased at the supermarket much more cheaply and the food company does not incur storage or marketing costs. People are encouraged to sell more' with rewards and prizes while the fund raising committees collect all the money to pass on to the food company. In schools, mixed messages are sent to children who are taught in the classroom about healthy food, but are then encouraged to sell unhealthy confectionery items. Often their own families end up purchasing left over supplies and may feel guilty about encouraging poor food habits in their children.

Activity

1. Describe some healthy eating strategies, for example, food choices, shopping lists or food preparation techniques, that individuals can adopt to promote wellbeing.
2. Evaluate the nutritional and social impact of promoting confectionery through fund raising on the health of children. Consider the relationship between food, money and funding issues and thereby the high status attributed to confectionary as opposed to the low status of fresh fruit and vegetables for example.