Erik Buyst

Exploring the food chain. Food production and food processing in Western Europe, 1850-1990

Until the late 19th century the food industry was restricted to a few activities, usually based on small scale industries. The links between agriculture and food processing were very tight. Due to increased purchasing power, population growth and urbanisation, the demand for food grew substantially. This was not only the case for basis products as corn and potatoes, but also and especially for more expensive, quality products as meat, fish and dairy produce. These developments generated, together with the essential technological innovations, the creation and development of modern food processing in specialized shops and factories.