The Food Programme - Stories of Food and Poverty

Dan Saladino visits the annual Oxford Food Symposium and explores its theme of 'poverty food'.

Stories told at the event ranged from the historic links between breadfruit and the slave trade and the cooking demos organised for the poorest families in Edwardian London. We also hear about the oldest known cookbook to feature recipes for people in poverty, dating back to 14th century Persia.

How has poverty has shaped food cultures over the centuries? The symposium set out to provide answers.

As we face an ongoing cost of living crisis and the prospect of further food price inflation, 'poverty food' is an increasingly urgent and topical theme. Are there lessons we can learn from history?

Produced and presented by Dan Saladino.

Published on Friday, 18th September 2026.

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