ABSTRACT
This chapter discovers how to stabilize a food supply so that many foods that are available in great abundance during a short period of time can be preserved and eaten between harvests by trial and error. The engineer working in the food industry has spent a great deal of effort converting age-old processes to modern, automated manufacturing facilities that will deliver high quality, safe food products on a regular basis and at a reasonable price. A very important position in the food pipeline is filled by food ingredient manufacturers. Packaging material suppliers work very closely with food manufacturers to develop a finished product that will maximize quality and protection of the food being delivered to the consumer. The food industry has been described as a mature, nongrowth industry. There is the occasional notoriety when a major acquisition occurs, but for the most part the food industry appears to be very stable and predictable.
