Food of the People

My previous post United by Food touched on commercialized food distribution which was not "the norm" in the Common Wealth of Independent States (Russia). In 1993, there was not a fast-food establishment on every block let alone in every town.  Grocery stores didn't have large varieties or quantities of food. Very little processed food was available (at least in the places I traveled). Most food was fresh and obtained in open air markets.

 Women sell fresh vegetables at this open-air market in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 

Sampling was encouraged.

 A group from a small village has prepared food - mostly potato and onion based - to sell to those traveling through the remote reaches of Kazakstan by train.

After reading this and my previous post, you might begin to see a trend in my traveling photos. Yes, they are centered on food. Although at the time, the food theme was consciously unintentional, I think my inner love of food found a way to express itself by capturing food related moments.