250px|Packaged food aisles at an American grocery store. 250px|Parmigiano reggiano cheese  in a modern factory. 250px| Hens in a battery cage in Brazil, an example of intensive animal farming. A soybean field in Junin, Argentina Most food produced for the food industry comes from commodity crops using conventional agricultural practices. Agriculture is the process of producing food, feeding products, fiber and other desired products by the cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). On average, 83\% of the food consumed by humans is produced using terrestrial agriculture. Other food sources include aquaculture and fishing. Scientists, inventors, and others devoted to improving farming methods and implements are also said to be engaged in agriculture. 1 in 3 people worldwide are employed in agriculture, yet it only contributes 3\% to global GDP. In 2017, on average, agriculture contributes 4\% of national GDPs. Global agricultural production is responsible for between 14 and 28\% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the largest contributors to global warming, in large part due to conventional agricultural practices, including nitrogen fertilizers and poor land management. Packaged meat in a supermarket  Proactive guidance In 2020 researchers published projections and models of potential impacts of policy-dependent mechanisms of modulation, or lack thereof, of how, where, and what food is produced. They analyzed policy-effects for specific regions or nations such as reduction of meat production and consumption, reductions in food loss and waste , increases in crop yields and international land-use planning. Their conclusions include that raising agricultural yields is highly beneficial for biodiversity-conservation in sub-Saharan Africa while measures leading to shifts of diets are highly beneficial in North America and that global coordination and rapid action are necessary. Wholesale and distribution A foodservice truck at a loading dock. Trucks commonly distribute food products to commercial businesses and organizations . Retail With worldwide urbanization, food buying is increasingly removed from food production. During the 20th century, the supermarket became the defining retail element of the food industry. There, tens of thousands of products are gathered in one location, in continuous, year-round supply. The Passaic Agricultural Chemical Works, an agrochemical company, in Newark, New Jersey, 1876 Modern food production is defined by sophisticated technologies. These include many areas. Agricultural machinery, originally led by the tractor, has practically eliminated human labor in many areas of production. Biotechnology is driving much change, in areas as diverse as agrochemicals, plant breeding and food processing. Many other types of technology are also involved, to the point where it is hard to find an area that does not have a direct impact on the food industry. As in other fields, computer technology is also a central force. Labor and education Some equipment at Tartu Mill , the largest grain milling company in the Baltic states . Modern food processing factories are often highly automated and need few workers . Until the last 100 years, agriculture was labor-intensive. Farming was a common occupation and millions of people were involved in food production. Farmers, largely trained from generation to generation, carried on the family business. That situation has changed dramatically today. In America in 1870, 70-80 percent of the US population was employed in agriculture.Neat Facts About United States Agriculture , Retrieved November 19, 2013 , less than 2 percent of the population is directly employed in agriculture, and about 80\% of the population lives in cities. The food industry as a complex whole requires an incredibly wide range of skills. Several hundred occupation types exist within the food industry.
250px|Packaged food aisles at an American grocery store. 250px|Parmigiano reggiano cheese produced in a modern factory. 250px| Battery cages in Brazil, an example of intensive animal farming. A soybean field in Argentina Most food produced for the food industry comes from commodity crops using conventional agricultural practices. Agriculture is the process of producing food, feeding products, fiber and other desired products by the cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). On average, 83\% of the food consumed by humans is produced using terrestrial agriculture. Other food sources include aquaculture and fishing. Scientists, inventors, and others devoted to improving farming methods and implements are also said to be engaged in agriculture. One in three people worldwide are employed in agriculture, yet it only contributes 3\% to global GDP. In 2017, on average, agriculture contributes 4\% of national GDPs. Global agricultural production is responsible for between 14 and 28\% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the largest contributors to global warming, in large part due to conventional agricultural practices, including nitrogen fertilizers and poor land management. Packaged meat in a supermarket . Proactive guidance In 2020 researchers published projections and models of potential impacts of policy-dependent mechanisms of modulation, or lack thereof, of how, where, and what food is produced. They analyzed policy-effects for specific regions or nations such as reduction of meat production and consumption, reductions in food waste and loss , increases in crop yields and international land-use planning. Their conclusions include that raising agricultural yields is highly beneficial for biodiversity-conservation in sub-Saharan Africa while measures leading to shifts of diets are highly beneficial in North America and that global coordination and rapid action are necessary. Wholesale and distribution A foodservice truck at a loading dock. Road transportation is often used in food distribution . Retail With worldwide urbanization, food buying is increasingly removed from food production. During the 20th century, the supermarket became the defining retail element of the food industry. There, tens of thousands of products are gathered in one location, in continuous, year-round supply. An American agrochemical factory in 1876. Modern food production is defined by sophisticated technologies. These include many areas. Agricultural machinery, originally led by the tractor, has practically eliminated human labor in many areas of production. Biotechnology is driving much change, in areas as diverse as agrochemicals, plant breeding and food processing. Many other types of technology are also involved, to the point where it is hard to find an area that does not have a direct impact on the food industry. As in other fields, computer technology is also a central force. Labor and education Equipment at Tartu Mill . Modern food processing factories are often highly automated . Until the last 100 years, agriculture was labor-intensive. Farming was a common occupation and millions of people were involved in food production. Farmers, largely trained from generation to generation, carried on the family business. That situation has changed dramatically today. In America in 1870, 70–80\% of the US population was employed in agriculture.Neat Facts About United States Agriculture , Retrieved November 19, 2013 , less than 2 \% of the population is directly employed in agriculture, and about 80\% of the population lives in cities. The food industry as a complex whole requires an incredibly wide range of skills. Several hundred occupation types exist within the food industry.
A
produced
R
Hens in a battery cage in
Battery cages in
D
Junin,
R
1 in 3
One in three
A
.
R
loss and waste
waste and loss
R
Trucks commonly distribute food products to commercial businesses and organizations
Road transportation is often used in food distribution
R
The Passaic Agricultural Chemical Works, an agrochemical company, in Newark, New Jersey, 1876
An American agrochemical factory in 1876.
R
Some equipment
Equipment
D
, the largest grain milling company in the Baltic states
D
and need few workers
R
70-80 percent
70–80\%
R
percent
\%