The food industry is a complex, global collective of diverse businesses that supplies most of the food consumed by the world's population. Only subsistence farmers, those who survive on what they grow, and hunter-gatherers can be considered outside the scope of the modern food industry.

Agriculture: raising crops, livestock, and seafood

Manufacturing: agrichemicals, agricultural construction, farm machinery and supplies, seed, etc.

Food processing: preparation of fresh products for market, and manufacture of prepared food products

Marketing: promotion of generic products (e.g., milk board), new products, advertising, marketing campaigns, packaging, public relations, etc.