A staple food is a fundamental item in the common diet of a group of people. It is consumed in large quantities and often eaten at every meal. A food item becomes a staple when it is relatively easy to produce in a specific area, and for this reason, staples vary from region to region according to weather, types of soil and topography. The staple also typically can be stored easily for long times. Because many grains, including wheat, are staple crops, bread is a natural staple food source.
Identification
Staples generally are inexpensive grains or starchy root vegetables high in calories and carbohydrates. Most staple foods are made from grains such as wheat, barley, rye, corn or rice. Corn and rice also are eaten whole. Starchy vegetables that are staple foods include potatoes, taro, yams and cassava. Bread is a staple food because it can be made from any of these staple ingredients.
Geography
Bread is a common staple food in countries that can easily grow wheat, and in regions relying on other ingredients as well, since almost all staples can be ground and milled into flour for bread. Cornbread and corn tortillas are staples in certain areas. Rice flour and potato flour are not uncommon. Other regions, however, such as parts of Asia, favor whole rice as the main staple instead of bread.
History
Bread has been a staple food since ancient times. Anthropologists have found bread loaves and grain millstones at sites dated as far back as 5,000 years ago. Bread is mentioned over 20 times in the Bible, and is the one material request made in The Lord's Prayer, which asks, "Give us this day our daily bread." In addition, historical records show that bread was a main staple of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, as well as medieval Europe.
Significance
Bread is important to the economies of many countries. Frequent sales of bread create job opportunities for farmers, agricultural scientists, grain distributors, bakers, packagers, equipment manufacturers and more. Bread production has its own infrastructure consisting of agriculture, grain storage, flour mills, bakeries and delivery vehicles.
Considerations
Staple foods such as bread usually do not provide all necessary nutrients, so people must add other foods to the diet to prevent malnutrition. These typically are fruits and greens or yellow vegetables, and meat, fish and dairy products.
