Return to Suburban Permaculture main page

The following pictures illustrate cultural and economic circumstances far better than any scholarly text ever could. How people feed themselves reveals so much. These pictures from the January, 2002 edition of the Smithsonian Magazine offer an impressive comparison between cultures, tradition, economic conditions, ecological footprint and much more. What location/diet appeals to you most?

Captions are from the article.

Namgay Family: Shinkghey, Bhutan

Meals revolve around a steaming pot of red rice, large enough to feed friends and members of the extended family who frequently appear unannounced.

Ukita Family: Tokyo, Japan

Shopping involves a daily trip by bicycle to the local shopping area, where the mother pays a premium for fresh foodstuffs, including yellowfin tuna and rainbow trout, which she serves raw.

Natomo Family: Kouakourou, Mali

Two wives alternate the responsibility for preparing meals, which involves making the fire, grinding the grain and preparing ngome, berakfast cakes of pounded millet or rice, salt and oil. The cakes are also sold.

Celic Family: Istanbul, Turkey

The entire family gathers for dinner, which can include yahni, a dish of lamb cooked with onions and potatoes and yufka, a mixture of arugula and feta stuffed inside an egg-roll-shaped pastry and baked.

Caven Family: American Canyon, California

On many weeknights, the daughter sets the tavle for four [although her father rearely gets home in time for dinner], while her mother spends half an hour cooking their favorite meal of chicken, broccoli and toast.