Ecuador: The Aymes of Tingo 

ONE WEEK’S FOOD IN SEPTEMBER 

Grains & Other Starchy Foods: $17.40

white potatoes, 100 lb

white rice, broken, 50 lb, cheaper than

whole rice.

ground wheat,* 15 lb corn flour, 10 lb

white flour, fine, 10 lb green pea flour, 8 lb white flour, coarse, 6 lb

Note: The Aymes normally grow their own potatoes and corn, but have none to harvest at this time of year.

They have eaten the last of their homegrown barley.

Dairy:

Milk, 1.8 gal, from family cows; only part of the week’s supply is shown in the photograph.

Meat, Fish & Eggs:

none.

Fruits, Vegetables & Nuts: $11.25

plantains, 13.4 lb

yellow bananas, 6.2 lb, purchased over-ripe

as they are cheaper that way.

oranges, 3.6 lb

lemons, 2.5 lb

Andean blackberries, 1 lb lentils, 10 lb

carrots, 3.6 lb

red onions, 3 lb

leeks, 2 lb

lettuce, 1 head

Condiments: $2.90

Brown sugar, 11 lb, purchased as a cake, used for sweetening coffee and eaten as candy.

salt, 1.5 lb

vegetable oil, 16.9 fl oz cilantro, 1 bunch

Beverages:

stinging nettle, 1 small bunch, gathered wild for tea.

corn silk, 1 handful, boiled in water for both tea and medicine.

spring water, carried by hand, for drinking and cooking.

Food Expenditure for One Week: $31.55

Ecuador: The Aymes of Tingo

Question: What does this family’s weekly groceries reveal or suggest about

•  the family’s standard of living?
•  the lifestyle of the family members’ lives?
•  the political situation of the country?
•  the environmental impact of food choice?
•  the economic situation of food choices?
•  cultural influences?