The mission of the Center is to provide the food industry and the scientific community with a unique environment for developing knowledge that will assure food quality throughout the whole distribution chain. The goals of the Center are to: 1) Facilitate research and education in the multidisciplinary area of the food distribution chain from growers to consumers; 2) Disseminate science-based information about the impact of the whole distribution chain on the final quality of the food products on the shelves of a retail store; 3) Increase the scope of existing undergraduate and graduate programs at University of Florida by increasing the content in food distribution and retailing; and 4) Provide support to the food industry in the State of Florida as well as at National and International levels.