Business and organizations that produce, manage, regulate, and distribute food and beverages comprise the food and beverage production industry. They are an essential part of society. As a fundamental human need, food and beverages always have played a central part in our lives. Our ancestors lived or died according to their ability to grow food, hunt for food, or fight for food. People have always sought out new sources of food. Throughout history people have identified the plants, insects, fungi, and animals in their region capable of sustaining them. In time, agrarian cultures were able to trade or sell their surplus food supplies for other goods and services, and food became an important part of the commerce of a society. As societies came into contact with each other, they also learned of different types of foods available in different parts of the world.