Political Ecology the World Food System Research Paper

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Political Ecology: The World Food System

Global difference in food patterns is one of the most noticed and researched traits of world's nations. What we eat and how we consume it, is part of our culture and living style. It is very obvious that an Arab living in KSA is going to consume more dates rather than Fish as compared to a Bengali living in India. Availability is a key factor which is a decisive factor in our eating habits. However, one cannot forget the importance of available capital or money, in affecting our eating habits. Thus availability and affordability are the key factors which play important role in determining our eating patterns. Similarly, this is the reason why a family living in Germany would have a totally opposite food intake as compared to the one living in Mali, Africa.

In 2005, Peter Menzel published his book called, "Hungary Planet: What the world eats." In his work, Peter shared photographs of different families (along with the food they consume on weekly basis) from all over the globe. What was most disappointing was the disparity between the food consumed by the most affluent and the neediest ones.

It was interesting to observe a difference between the German family and the Malinian family (photographs are given in the appendix A). The German family called "The Melanders," a family of four, had a weekly consumption of food worth $501. On the other hand, the Natomo family from Mali, had a weekly consumption of almost $27. The difference between the kind of food consumed is rather drastic. Statistics gathered by Food and Agriculture Organization mentioning calories consumption per capita in developed and underdeveloped countries, are given in Figure 1.

The Melanders, have a weekly consumption varying from flavored bread to cereals, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, processed food and raw meat and poultry etc. whereas, the Natomos have only raw grains and vegetable as their disposal, which is utilized by them during three meals of the day. Also, the procurement of food is also very contrasting.

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The Melanders, perform their shopping of groceries from the contemporary general stores, super markets as well as the outdoor markets. The shopping habits of Melanders reflect the influence of culture as well as the desire of having access to the modern brands available in modern stores. On the other hand, the Natomos utilize mainly raw food available in the nearby local markets, relatives' farms and out of their own purchase for business purposes (the head of the family is a grain trader).

The food intake by both families during three meals during the day, are completely opposite to each other. The source of starch intake in Melanders in grains, vegetables, bread and other processed food (where this liberty is obviously given by affordability and availability). Whereas, grains are the only source of starch for Natomos, (most of which comes from the purchase made for business purposes). Dairy products consumption by Melanders is worth almost $67 and ranges from raw as well as processed form of dairy which includes processed milk, fruits yogurts, cheese of various types, processed cream, butter etc. And, Natomos only spend $0.30 on sour milk which is no luxury but a necessity for food preparation.

Similarly the differences between red and white meat consumption, vegetables, nuts, fruits show a similar pattern. A lot of food consumed by Melanders which is part of their normal lives is rather luxury for Natomos. Where the beverages utilized by Melanders include mineral water, different types of tea and beers, juices, flavored milk etc.; the only beverage used by Natomos is water which is taken from the nearby community well and doesn't costs a dime.

The type of food eaten by both the families on daily basis, also have varying nature. The food intake of Melanders is traditional as well as contemporary. Processed food, fast food, processed beverages, refined grains as well as purchases of fresh fruits, vegetable and nuts made from the local market; show a variety of food consumed by Germans. Research has suggested that easy access.....

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