17. Hidden Treasures of Food


Food is both commodity and treasure. The Human Atmosphere defines “human food” by scale, profit, and predictability, amplifying what billions consume. Yet at the smaller scale, food is intimacy: nourishment, resilience, and forgotten abundance.
Prompt for reflection:

  • Which foods do you value most, and why?
  • Are they chosen for convenience, tradition, taste, nutrition, or something else?
  • What “hidden treasures” — ancient grains, forgotten vegetables, or overlooked staples — might be waiting in your garden, your local market, or your memory?
  • How does your definition of food differ from the Human Atmosphere’s definition?