Production: the processes of growing, raising, and harvesting food.

Processing: the transformation of raw ingredients into food, or food into other food.

Storage: foods are stored at different points along the value chain, from on farm, to distribution warehouses, to home pantries.

Distribution: how food moves between different points in the food system.

Access & Consumption: how & where food is purchased or otherwise acquired, prepared, and eaten.

Waste Disposal & Recovery: food can be discarded, lost, or uneaten at any of the stages of production, processing, storage, distribution, and consumption.

Farm Inputs: the production, distribution, storage and sale of products needed to grow food.