Food distribution in Ultima Borealia

Food distribution in Ultima Borealia is complex and significantly different from other countries that maintain some form of a market economy, as the Borealian government plays a central role in food distribution through the Department of Food Production and Distribution. Producers of food are subsidised through a complex system of generous subsidies, extremely low-interest loans provided by the Bank of the Most Serene Jarldom, and a crop insurance program granted to all farmers. All food produced in Ultima Borealia intended to be sold to a wider market is purchased by the Department of Food Production and Distribution at a level significantly higher than the market price and at a "parity" price believed to be just to food producers, which then processes it (as all food processing plants are owned by the Borealian government) if the raw product is not intended to be initially consumed, and then (either immediately after food production or after an intermediate stage of food processing) markets it and sells it to businesses that then sell it to a wider market at a level significantly lower than the price purchased from food producers. The price given to farmers also differs based on quality, causing consumer advocates to remain steadfastly supportive of the current Borealian system of food distribution. The sole major exception to this system of food distribution is that the Borealian government continues a system where foodstuffs are directly given to low-income individuals as a method of alleviating poverty and hunger. Food imports are not covered by this system, but all food exports (primarily fish) are, with the Borealian government heavily marketing Borealian fish internationally, which is a major Borealian export.

The modern Borealian system of food distribution were first created in the 1920s following the Borealian Civil War as a new era of socialist-influenced thinking dominated government policy, influenced the architects of a new food distribution system to bring the government to a central role rather than a merely peripheral role as a regulator and supplier of subsidies. Although initially denounced as "socialist" by Borealian rightists at the time, Borealian agricultural policies have largely been accepted by most Borealian mainstream parties out of a desire to attract the vote of Borealian farmers, fishers and herders, and to this day the Patriotic Alliance for Freedom, the sole Borealian political alliance to oppose the current system of food distribution, receives a significantly lower voting share amongst producers of food than amongst other groups; polls have consistently shown that this is due to the PAF's opposition to Borealian food distribution policies. Proponents emphasise the benefits given to farmers and the higher quality of food generally yielded by the Borealian food distribution system, whereas critics denounce the system as being enormously costly and of little benefit to the Borealian public at large.