With new technologies set to revolutionize the global food industry, understanding the food system and managing it carefully are essential to ensure that all the world's people enjoy a secure, sufficient and sustainable food supply.

This book provides an essential overview of all the key issues and players. It makes an ideal text for students working on any aspect of food — from agriculture and food technology, management, retailing, catering and consumer studies, to politics and development. Packed with information, attractively presented and written in a lively, accessible style, it also makes an absorbing book for the general reader.