 |
| via |
Have you seen this photo essay from Time showing families from fifteen different countries with their groceries for the week?
Photojournalist, Peter Menzel, traveled the world photographing families and their weekly food purchase for the book The Hungry Planet. The photos present a fascinating insight into the cultural differences in eating habits around the world, and the stark contrast between first world, developing and third world nations.
Here are eight of the photos representing families from a diverse group of countries, in order of their weekly food costs. Definitely check out the entire gallery to see the rest of the countries represented – it’s enlightening.
Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07
Favorite foods: fried potatoes with onions, bacon and herring, fried noodles with eggs and cheese, pizza, vanilla pudding
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07
Favorite foods: fried potatoes with onions, bacon and herring, fried noodles with eggs and cheese, pizza, vanilla pudding
United States: The Revis family of North Carolina
Food expenditure for one week: $341.98
Favorite foods: spaghetti, potatoes, sesame chicken
Food expenditure for one week: $341.98
Favorite foods: spaghetti, potatoes, sesame chicken
Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira City
Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25
Favorite foods: sashimi, fruit, cake, potato chips
Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25
Favorite foods: sashimi, fruit, cake, potato chips
Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11
Favorite foods: fish, pasta with ragu, hot dogs, frozen fish sticks
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11
Favorite foods: fish, pasta with ragu, hot dogs, frozen fish sticks
China: The Dong family of Beijing
Food expenditure for one week: 1,233.76 Yuan or $155.06
Favorite foods: fried shredded pork with sweet and sour sauce
Food expenditure for one week: 1,233.76 Yuan or $155.06
Favorite foods: fried shredded pork with sweet and sour sauce
Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53
Family recipe: Okra and mutton
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53
Family recipe: Okra and mutton
Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55
Family recipe: Potato soup with cabbage
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55
Family recipe: Potato soup with cabbage
Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23
Favorite foods: soup with fresh sheep meat
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23
Favorite foods: soup with fresh sheep meat
very interesting post Sandy I am still just so busy with Mom but wanted to pop over to say Hello
She's doing well so that is all I can ask for at the moment. Have a great rest of the week!!
That last picture just breaks my heart! And reminds me that while my family is blessed, we could stand to spend less on our food each week. Just because we can afford it doesn't mean we need it!!!
I saw this originally and thought it was just so interesting. Happy you posted it as I know so many women will be stunned. xx's
Truly fascinating.
Fascinating and the last picture was hard to look at. I think the Americans family purchases of all the food ready to serve is a testament of how we do not as a country eat nearly as healthy as we should, fresh fruits and veges, didn't' see a one on the table! Oh wait I think I saw a cluster of grapes behind the bacon, Texas toast and McDonald fries…lol.
Interesting and fascinating. Enjoy your day!!
This is a most powerful lesson on perspective; I showed this to a class I taught on nutrition a couple of years ago! Happy day Sandy dear, Anita
SANDY!!!!!!!!
You came so quickly; I just posted!!!!
Oh I am thrilled that you are participating. Do tell me, do you want to participate in the give-away of the book? Anita
YAY! I will put your name in the draw my dear! LOVE IT! Anita
I hadn't seen this, really makes such a powerful statement. Thanks for posting.
Fascinating Sandy.. Such an interesting contrast…it also makes me think about how much our weekly shopping has changed from country to country. In Vietnam, we use less packaged food and far more fresh food from the markets. Saying that…I do miss a few favourites.
I plan to share this with my family, thank you for posting. I also want to thank you for your lovely comment today…
Best wishes for a wonderful weekend..
Jeanne xx
I was reading about this in one of our newspapers the other day. It's fascinating to see the differences. The Egyptian family had so much colourful fresh fruit and veg on their table.
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
I did see this! It is a fascinating perspective and also a little frightening.
On that note, did you know that the average American family throws away 14lbs of food a week?
Even in a depressed economy we are still a nation of excess and sadly waste.
Wow, this really puts things in perspective! Thanks for sharing Sandy.
Sandy,
Yes, I have seen this and it certainly does put things in perspective. Raised one of seven and the daughter of a food grocer, we were taught to use everything wisely and to make things from nothing. I feel so honored that my Mother taught me well.
I need to take a photo of my groceries and tally the amount. A pantry makes things stretch my dollar….and a vegetable garden which I have in the works.
pve