Agricultural supplies are often distributed after an emergency. These supplies are an initial step in the transition from relief to rehabilitation. In many cases, providing food is the best means of providing support. Generally, food is used as reimbursement for conservation activities that farmers would like to do, but cannot ordinarily take time for, because they are engaged in other wage earning or survival activities. Catholic Relief Services provides food in amounts that are just below an equivalent minimum wage.
Farmers pay a small handling fee for the food.
Food-assisted programs have been criticized for adding large amounts of food to an economy and depressing local prices, adversely affecting local farmers and farm production. To avoid this problem, the agency conducts a thorough analysis prior to introducing food to a country as part of development programs. When the analysis shows that introduction of food may be harmful to local markets, other resources are used. Often, the foods that are introduced are those that a country already imports due to insufficient in-country production. Food may be disbursed on a small-scale in remote areas.