Maria Mannarino and Anita Lin

This paper focuses on how the different methods for food transport impacted the geography of food production and consumption from the pre civil war era through the industrial era, 1830-1940. As transportation became more efficient, it impacted the geography of food production and therefore consumption as well. The different technologies include animal powered wagons, canals, railways, and motor trucks.

All data was obtained from various types of sources. Journal articles discussing agricultural land use were used, as were articles discussing the expansion of railways throughout the United States, and the use of canals and wagons. Census records as well as books published during the given era were also used to provide statistical data.

The data gathered was then analyzed in order to find trends when it came to the improvements and advancements in food transport technology, with a correlation to the geography of food production.

It was found that as the public demanded increased efficiency, different modes of transportation emerged as improvements in technology occurred. With this, the land use of the outer-boroughs of New York City was able to transform from agricultural to suburban. Due to the improvements in technology, food was able to move across further distances in shorter amounts of time. Food production of the south and west could be transported to New York City. This new competition within the food market put pressures on New York City farmers, along with the demand for increased housing.

As technologies for food transport became more advanced and efficient, foods could be shipped to New York from the south and the west. Therefore, the agricultural land use of New York City decreased.

chapter – Lin and Mannarino

20.     Pre-civil war technologies for food distribution (canals and carts)
a.    What were the technologies for the distribution of food prior to the civil war?
b.    What tonnage (annually) was used/moved by each of these technologies?
c.    How did they change over time?

21.     Rail and barge freight and how this changed the geography of food production and consumption
a.    What are the technologies used for food distribution during this period of time?
b.    What tonnage (annually) was used/moved by each of these technologies?
c.    How did they change over time?