In the 1980s, winter vegetables in northern China were limited to just radishes, potatoes, and Chinese cabbage. In 1988, the government launched the "Vegetable Basket" project to address shortages of meat, eggs, dairy, and produce. Its goal: to ensure a stable, abundant supply of essential food products for every household. Now, after nearly four decades of relentless work, a full system of production, distribution, and oversight guarantees food security for the country's 1.4 billion people.