What was the impact of technology on food availability?

  1. New technology enabled the people to avail food in a better way.
    (i) Faster railways, lighter wagons, and larger ships helped in moving food more cheaply and quickly from faraway farms to final markets.
    (ii) Refrigerated ships enabled transport of perishable food over long distances.
    (iii) Meat which was a luxury item in Europe so far was beyond the reach of poor people. High prices kept the demand and production low until the development of new technology.
    (iv) Now animals were slaughtered for food in America, Australia or Newzealand and then transported in refrigerated ships to Europe as frozen meat-cost of transportation was also less than transportation of live animals.
    (v) The poor people of Europe could now consume a more varied diet including meat, butter, eggs, etc.