Food storage in simple, straightforward terms is the storage of food for future use. It is used at every stage of food production and distribution, from farms to the local markets. It is not limited to humans alone, even animals store food for future use as demonstrated in the story of the grasshopper and the ant. Food storage is done to ensure that sufficient food is available in times of need when production may not be possible. Agricultural food storage is done using granaries built for the purpose. They use the surplus of harvest to ensure consistent food supply during lean periods.
Storing food storage is also essential at the markets where people buy them. Consequently, several storage methods must be devised to ensure that food doesn’t get spoilt between sale and arrival of new batches. Sometimes this requires the use of refrigeration and freezing. In some markets, food products like grain and vegetables arrive daily from the farms. There, the use of refrigeration is unnecessary and will only add to the sale price of the food. Proper storage is also essential when transporting food across the globe to markets far away. This is especially important in the case of meat and dairy products.