Those who study food and diet are no strangers to phenomena that are part of historical processes and that need to be studied with an awareness of cultural differences, the various forms of social inequality and the social, economic and political implications that food has for human health. The production, distribution and consumption of foods in any place involves numerous settings and individuals and these aspects lead us from agricultural activities to food processing, from the restaurant or school dining room to the home, and from the individual to the social group. They also involve the processes of health, illness and care. Despite apparent abundance, the current food production system does not meet the basic needs of individuals, nor does it ensure the even distribution of foods, the regenerative capacity of the resources used or the preservation of biocultural diversity. It also increases mistrust in the foods produced and works against the legitimate and human desire to preserve and improve the quality of life.
Those who study food and diet are no strangers to phenomena that are part of historical processes and that need to be studied with an awareness of cultural differences, the various forms of social inequality and the social, economic and political implications that food has for human health. The production, distribution and consumption of foods in any place involves numerous settings and individuals and these aspects lead us from agricultural activities to food processing, from the restaurant or school dining room to the home, and from the individual to the social group. They also involve the processes of health, illness and care. Despite apparent abundance, the current food production system does not meet the basic needs of individuals, nor does it ensure the even distribution of foods, the regenerative capacity of the resources used or the preservation of biocultural diversity. It also increases mistrust in the foods produced and works against the legitimate and human desire to preserve and improve the quality of life. El orden del día de las agendas de los estudiosos de la alimentación está repleto de fenómenos que, formando parte de procesos históricos más amplios, deben ser tratados desde el conocimiento de las diferencias culturales, de las diversas formas de desigualdad social y de las implicaciones sociales, económicas y políticas que la comida tiene para la salud humana, el entorno y las sociedades. La producción, distribución y consumo de alimentos implica numerosos ámbitos y agentes en cualquier lugar y nos llevan desde las actividades agrícolas hasta el procesamiento de los alimentos, desde el restaurante o el comedor escolar al hogar, desde el individuo al grupo social; intervienen, a su vez, en el proceso de salud/enfermedad/atención. A pesar de la abundanci