- In recent decades global food production has burgeoned, but, paradoxically, hunger and malnourishment remain widespread.
- The orthodox explanation for the continued existence of hunger is that population growth outstrips food production.
- An alternative explanation for the continuation of hunger focuses on lack of access or entitlement to available food. Access and entitlement are affected by factors such as the North-South global divide, particular national policies, rural-urban divides, class, gender, and race.
- Globalization can simultaneously contribute to increased food production and increased hunger.