The email contained eight photos of different families across the world and the varying amounts of food and cost that they purchase each week.  The differences are striking.  The things I noticed: the processed crap that is ingested by Western societies versus ‘traditional’ culture, the comparable weight of the families and the food they eat, the health and vitality of those who eat whole foods versus processed foods.

Seriously, take a look at these people.  Look at each picture in detail.  

There are so many things that can be said about this.  Some of the pictures are heartbreaking, and not just the obvious ones.  I think the amount of sodas consumed by the Mexican family is just as heartbreaking as the lack of food that family in Chad have access to.  Did you notice how much fast food, and how little whole foods (one plate of fruit), the American family had? Look at the amount of food can feed 13 people in Bhutan versus the amount of food that feeds four in Germany.  And finally, look at the amount of waste created by the Western families.  

We write a lot about the affect of food on our environment, economy, and our bodies.  I think these photos are a clear indication of what problems exist surrounding our food culture.  Many of these families are not eating food, they are eating chemical calories.  And, when you look at the packaging and the marketing that goes into having a family select on brand over the other, you realize this isn’t going to end.  The corporations that make processed food do not have your best interest in mind.  There main concern is profit.  

We are in a food crisis.  However, I doubt many people really understand that because they have access to food in astronomical ways.  Many of these families.. many of you who read this… have never seen pictures of how people survive outside of the United States or ‘western’ homes.  We are extremely fortunate to have the abundance that we do.  I think when the peak of this food crisis hits many people are not going to know how to survive, and that is scary.

I would be interested in knowing what your interpretation of these photos are.  Please feel free to comment about them with your opinions.