Food is essential for all humans, but the way it is consumed can vary greatly around the world. Photographer Peter Menzel and writer Faith D’Aluisio embarked on a journey to document this diversity by capturing what families from 24 different countries eat in an average week. Their project, “Hungry Planet,” showcases the variety of diets across the globe, while also highlighting the commonalities that connect us as humans.
The families featured in their 2005 book, “Hungry Planet: What the World Eats,” offer a glimpse into their culinary cultures through their typical weekly diets. From the Batsuuri family in Mongolia, who spend $40.02 weekly on mutton-centered meals, to the Le Moine family in France, with a weekly food budget of $419.95 indulging in sophisticated French cuisine, the differences in diets are vast.
The contrast between the abundance of some families, like the Le Moine family, and the scarcity faced by others, like the Aboubakar family living in a refugee camp in Chad who spend only $1.23 per week on meals, highlights the global disparities in food security.
Each family offers a unique perspective on their traditional foods and modern influences, such as the Namgay family in Bhutan who spend $5.03 per week on simple, homegrown meals, or the Sturm family in Germany who enjoy salads, shrimp, and traditional German sweets.
From Japan to the United States, Australia to Kuwait, the featured families share both their favorite dishes and the cultural influences that shape their diets. The diversity and richness of food cultures around the world are beautifully captured in the pages of “Hungry Planet,” reminding us of the significance of food in our lives.
