Technology has profoundly impacted food availability.

1. Railways and Steamships (19th Century): Faster railways and lighter steamships connected distant agricultural regions to global markets. This allowed surplus food from countries like America and Australia to be transported quickly and affordably. Consequently, food availability increased dramatically, and prices lowered in European urban centers, efficiently feeding burgeoning industrial populations.
2. Refrigerated Ships (Late 19th Century): The invention of refrigerated ships transformed the meat trade. Instead of costly live animal transport, animals were slaughtered at source, and chilled or frozen meat was shipped. This innovation significantly reduced shipping costs and meat prices in Europe, making meat, previously a luxury, accessible to the working class, thereby improving their dietary standards and overall living conditions.