Jargon of the day 7/8/08

This is a new daily feature: each day I’ll give you a jargony word or phrase I heard that day, along with my unscientific translation.

So, today’s jargon: Private sector distribution system

Translation: This was in the context of distributing food aid, so what it means is trucking companies. Businesses – not government or donor agencies – who can carry food around the country.