Context: In more recent years, however, many country pubs have either closed down, or have been converted to establishments intent on providing seating facilities for the consumption of food, rather than a venue for members of the local community meeting and convivially drinking.

Question: What is a frequent modern function of country pubs?
Answer: providing seating facilities for the consumption of food

Question: Along with community meetings, what was the traditional purpose of country pubs?
Answer: drinking