Cultural studies examine the link between social habits and food history

New research and exhibitions are highlighting the intersection of biology, culture, and food history. In Viana do Castelo, Portugal, the Ephemera Library and Archive has developed the “Viana à Mesa 1920-1970” exhibition. Based on the estate of Lieutenant Colonel Tristão Bacelar, the project explores how food, dining spaces, and culinary habits shaped the social identity and regional history of the community throughout the 20th century.

In Brazil, biologist Marleny Prada De La Cruz has published research in the Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine regarding the use of wild food plants in the Caatinga biome. Comparing data from 2008–2010 with 2024–2025, the study indicates that the conservation and consumption of these species are driven not only by biological presence but also by social and cultural factors. The findings suggest that shifts in lifestyle and community knowledge significantly impact how local populations interact with their natural environment.