The ability to preserve food and transport it for long distances has led to the globalization of markets. The creation of an international distribution network means that Canadians can purchase food from all over the world right in their local supermarket, and the rest of the world can sample Canadian foods in the countries where they live. Local production remains important, though. Buying local means supporting nearby farms and processing companies. It also helps in keeping costs down as processing and distributing take large amounts of energy.
Some farmers sell their produce directly to consumers at roadside stands.
This is very popular in the summertime when fresh fruits and vegetables are available. Because families don't produce as much of the food that they eat as they once did, they now have to go out and buy it. These stores are known as retail outlets and they sell the food produced by farmers, prepared by processors and delivered by distributors. Another section of the retail market, and the fastest growing in terms of size, are the restaurant and fast-food outlets. Canadians now eat more than one meal in three outside of the home, and that means having lunch at the school cafeteria, bringing pizza home when everyone's running late and stopping in at a restaurant when traveling or shopping.