1. What do people eat? Foods of the World: Staple Foods

2. Staple Foods Staple Foods: Foods that make up a region’s basic food supply Food staples are eaten regularly—even daily— and supply a major proportion of a person’s energy and nutritional needs. What would influence a region’s choice of staple foods?

3. Influences on Staple Foods 1) Geography Rich soil vs. rocky mountains Climate Extreme temperatures limit growth of foods Rainfall

4. Influences on Staple Foods 2) Cost Most food staples are inexpensive, plant based foods Product Average Cost per kg Wheat$0.309 Rice$0.565 Cassava(root)$0.102 Beef$4.22 *as of March 2013

5. Influences on Staple Foods 3) Storage How long can the item be stored? Average shelf life of rice = 24 months Average shelf life of beef = 14 days

6. Influences on Staple Foods 4) Nutrient Content Staple Grain Energy (kJ/100 g) Wheat1419 Rice1528 Soybean615 Potato322 Plantain511 Cassava670 Corn360

7. Staple Foods of the World Often a grain that is best suited to the climate of the area Wheat – 35% of world’s population relies on wheat. The primary grain of the world’s richest countries. High protein content. Netherlands, Belgium, Canada

8. Staple Foods of the World Corn – 2nd largest cereal crop. Also called maize. Very versatile (corn flour, cornstarch, ethanol, polenta) Israel, US, Central America

9. Staple Foods of the World Rice – over 7000 varieties around the world. High energy. Indonesia, China, Japan,

10. Staple Foods of the World Millet –can grow in poor soil with little rainfall. Usually cooked as porridge and made into flat bread. Africa

11. Staple Foods of the World Potatoes –are hardy, quick to grow, and require less land and labour than grains. Central America, Mexico

12. Staple Foods of the World Sorghum – a drought-resistant crop. Often made into porridge or bread. In the USA sorghum is used to feed animals. Africa

13. Many Other Staple Foods… Plantains: Fruit all year round, making them a reliable food source Indonesia, Africa, Central America

14. Many Other Staple Foods… Yams: Can be stored for long periods of time without refrigeration Indonesia, Africa, Central America

15. Many Other Staple Foods… Cassava: Drought resistant crop South America