Food

Food is a fundamental necessity that is intrinsically linked with our daily life.  The selection of documents included in this section vary from the production of food dimension, to issues of hygiene and the cost of certain foods.  At times these gave scope for complaints to higher authorities, reporting abuse.  The economic aspect of food is also reflected in the detailed statistics of weekly expenditure on foodstuff.  The concepts of the market at the centre of Valletta and the social dimension of grocers in village cores are also prominent elements.  Most content could have easily fit in the section ‘Vanished Malta’.  The provision and distribution of food in times of crises such as war and pestilence is well documented.   This ‘keeping track’ is important as apart from the practical logistics of the process, it also becomes an issue of social justice and crisis intervention strategy.  Finally, beyond this, there is also the entertainment aspect of food.  Archives document this in menus, bars and pubs’ publicity material and comments in personal diaries.  It all reflects an economy in constant transition, with a core central need of food supplies.