In Peter Menzel’s photographic essay, “Hungry Planet”, the greatest difference in dietary habits was seen between the United States of America, and Chad. These countries differ drastically in their wealth, development, and resources, which is seen through this photographic essay. In the photos from the families living in the United States we see tables overflowing with food, so much so that food is displayed on the back counters and even up the walls. The majority of this food is processed, packaged and frozen. There are a few pieces of fruit and vegetables here and there, but the forefront is mainly bread products, processed snacks and candy, and meat and dairy products. In great contrast to the United States families, the photos of the families from Chad tell a completely different story. In the picture of the Aboubakar family, we see a scarce display of food for the week. They have three large bags of grains, 5 limes, and a few smaller bags of what seem to be spices or other ingredients, and one bottle of water. This small amount of food is for a family of 5.
When comparing these photos of families from the United States and Chad, it can seem as if they are living in different worlds. The families in the US are able to have bountiful pantries, filled with foods sourced from all over the world, whereas the family in Chad has a small amount of food for the whole week, consisting of a few local ingredients. How is this possible? How can we live in a world with globalization and free trade and in America have access to virtually all of the food under the sun, while those in Chad have access to only what they can gather? In the article titled “The Real Reasons for Hunger”, Vandana Shiva writes, “People are starving because the policy structures that defended rural livelihoods, and access to resources and markets, and hence entitlements and incomes, are being systematically dismantled by structural adjustment programs, driven by the World Bank, and by WTO rules imposing trade liberalization” (Shiva). Shiva explains that the cause of this hunger comes from the government policies that mandate trade and regulate imports and exports, and the lack of local control that resulted from free trade.
Globalization and free trade has benefitted developing nations endlessly, but as we’ve learned in lecture this week, it neglects the underdeveloped countries. It takes over small businesses, small farmers, and local production, and saturates the market with cheap labor, ass production, and unbeatably low prices. In Chad we see the lack of outside resources, and lack of prosperity that has led to their poverty and starvation. Of course, free trade isn’t the only issue to blame for the disparity displayed in Menzel’s photographic essay, but I believe it is a major contributor to the problem.