The Food Wasted
a series exploring the unrecognized abundance in our everyday lives.
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Returning to college in Vermont after a month in a war zone at home in Ukraine and nine months in Germany, I was struck by the excess and waste generated by my college’s meal plan system.
In the U.S., where around 40% of food goes to waste, the eyes often want more than the stomach can handle. I would watch students take prepared food, only to leave much of it untouched.
Eating well in the United States is more affordable than in Ukraine, and in a system where students pay $8,000 upfront for a year of meals, it’s understandable that many take more food than they need.
I observed this pattern at Bennington and at University of Massachusetts, known for having the best student dining hall in the country. I was stunned by the sheer number of options available.
While the food was prepared and readily accessible, many students still found themselves dissatisfied with the options. This raised a larger question about the abundance in wealthy countries—and how often it goes unnoticed.
This series aims to highlight that abundance. When we grow comfortable, the fulfillment we once got from having more diminishes, and the thrill of getting a different meal every day fades. This opens the door to seeking more complex and, at times, superficial forms of entertainment—ultimately revealing how we become desensitized to plenty.
Acknowledgments
Photographer: Diana Chipak
Costume Designer: Elizabeth Gavrilov
Models: Rafaella Binder-Gavito, Andy Kongolo, Tomas Medina Arriaga, and John (Jack) Casey
Guidance and Mentorship: Terry Boddy
I am deeply grateful to have worked alongside this talented team and to have had the guidance and mentorship of Terry Boddy.