ABSTRACT
Most food processing and storage activities are located in the production areas because in most cases it is cheaper to process or store the raw products in the production areas and transport the processed products to the consumption areas. In a few cases, it is cheaper to process the food in the consuming areas. Food consumption typically takes place in a person's home or community. Long distance transportation requires time, which creates the possibility of food deterioration, shrinkage, and loss during transport. Transporting food long distance requires that fresh fruits and vegetables be harvested early to ensure high quality at the market. The four modes of transportation which haul food products in the United States are railroads, trucks, barges, and airplanes. Transportation of food products by air is limited to small quantities of high value perishable products such as fresh fruits and produce from Hawaii and California.
