Food Sources (AQA GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition)

Revision Note

Ruth Brindle

Written by: Ruth Brindle

Reviewed by: Lára Marie McIvor

Sourcing ingredients for food

  • Ingredients fit into several categories depending on their source

    • Grown ingredients, including:

      • fruit

      • vegetables

      • cereals

    • Reared ingredients, including:

      • meat

      • poultry

    • Caught ingredients, including:

      • fish

  • Ingredients may be produced through different methods

    • Organic farming involves the production of food using natural substances and processes and avoiding synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

    • Conventional farming refers to the production of food through industrial or modern agricultural techniques with synthetic chemicals and intensive farming practises used to maximise yield and minimise cost

    • Free range production refers to the method of farming where animals are allowed to roam freely outdoors in a more natural environment for at least part of the day, promoting animal welfare and potentially higher-quality products

    • Intensive farming methods are agricultural practises used to maximise yield of crops or livestock per unit of land through increased efficiency and the use of specific technologies with less consideration for welfare and sustainability

    • Sustainable fishing practices work to maintain fish populations at healthy levels, protect marine ecosystems, and ensure the livelihoods of fishing communities without compromising the future of the fish stocks

Advantages and disadvantages of locally produced foods

  • Sourcing locally produced foods can involve the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

Disadvantages

A lower carbon footprint due to a shorter supply chain and fewer food miles

Availability and variety might be limited with seasonal gaps

Support for local farmers and producers, generating local jobs

Cost may be higher due to smaller scale production

Animal welfare is improved due to less transport of live animals to abattoirs

Convenience of availability in shops may be restricted

Fruit and vegetables have higher nutrient content

Produce is more likely to be produced through sustainable practices

Advantages and disadvantages of seasonally produced foods

  • Sourcing seasonally produced foods can involve the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

Disadvantages

A lower carbon footprint as less energy is required for production and often locally produced so fewer food miles

Availability is restricted to certain points in the year and so consumer diet is restricted

Fresher, riper and more nutrient-rich (less time in storage or transport)

Yield is dependent on climate and so cost is also variable

Cost-effective due to plentiful availability

Farmers lack income stability due to fluctuations in yield and cost

Support for local farmers

Planning and preparation of meals might require more effort to account for seasonal availability

Many seasonal fruits can be grown in large quantities and preserved in jams, pickles or chutneys

Advantages and disadvantages of Genetically Modified (GM) foods

  • Sourcing GM foods can involve the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

Disadvantages

GM foods can be produced in large amounts

There is a risk that GM genes may mix with wild plants and influence the local ecosystems and food chains

There is less of a requirement for pesticides and herbicides, reducing production costs and chemical input

Pests could develop resistance resulting in thriving pest populations

The storage life of food can be extended

Fear of the development of new pathogens due to the GM bacteria and virus particles used in GM crop production

More resilient crops can be produced to survive poor weather conditions e.g. flooding or drought

Consumer distrust of GM products

Crops can be enhanced with specific nutrients e.g. high vitamin A levels in 'Golden rice'

GM food labelling can be confusing, there are extra requirements for mandatory labelling of GM products/ingredients

Last updated:

You've read 0 of your 5 free revision notes this week

Sign up now. It’s free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Ruth Brindle

Author: Ruth Brindle

Expertise: Biology

Ruth graduated from Sheffield University with a degree in Biology and went on to teach Science in London whilst also completing an MA in innovation in Education. With 10 years of teaching experience across the 3 key science disciplines, Ruth decided to set up a tutoring business to support students in her local area. Ruth has worked with several exam boards and loves to use her experience to produce educational materials which make the mark schemes accessible to all students.

Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.