PILLAR, PATRICIA GERICKA A.

Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

The Time Magazine photo essay portrays a powerful story centered on food around the
world. The meaning of abundance is contrasted between well-off families, as expected from
developed countries, and surviving families, mostly from African and Asian countries. The weekly
food expenditure is intentionally displayed on the lower left of each photo, which shows the
disparity of the quantity and quality of food families around the world can afford. Many families
can afford food more than what they can consume within a week. The opposite is true for poorer
families, where they try to prolong their food supply to survive through the week. The quality of
food they can afford is also evident for different social classes. Well-off families can savor their
food since they can buy more ingredients and spices, while poorer families don’t have this luxury.
It made me realize that poorer families are denied of taste, a basic pleasure. This gives “cravings”
a whole other meaning. Although for both classes it means a powerful desire for something, for
the upper class it means desire for more, but sadly for the lower class it means desire for enough.

Another thing that caught my eye is that the food range of poorer families are mostly
restricted to agricultural produce, while well-off families have, in addition, instant food (i.e. instantly
microwavable, instantly friable, etc.). This makes me think about food preparation. Poorer families
have to spend more time and energy in preparing their meals, while well-off families can instantly
prepare their food within just minutes and minimum effort. This disparity is important because time
and energy is a currency in our daily life. Another thing I realized is that agricultural products are
at risk of spoilage, and underprivileged families cannot immediately afford appliances to preserve
their food. While privileged families more often than not take refrigerators for granted. This is
important to note because spoilage equates to waste of money, which is already at a scarcity for
poor families. On the other hand, well-off families have the luxury of not pouring their money down
the drainage.

Perhaps the thing that struck me the most in the photo essay is the attitude of families
around the world. Food is truly celebrated no matter the differentiation in abundance and the
quality of food. However, I did notice that poorer families had bigger smiles than some well-off
families which really ungrounded me. Although food is enjoyed across the world, it is also taken
for granted especially for developed countries who have become accustomed to quantity and
quality. And yet, families with barely enough food, no kitchenware and are visibly struggling to
make ends meet are genuinely grateful. The phrase “food is a blessing” has become more
meaningful for me. Their smiles are admirable and haunting at the same time, even with no dining
table in sight.