Celebrating the Harvest

Growing food is hard work. So when seeds finally turn into ripened crops, people all over the world celebrate the bounty that comes in from the fields. Whether it’s a lavish meal on Thanksgiving Day in the United States or a moon cake for China’s Autumn Moon Festival, people of many cultures express their gratitude by preparing, sharing and displaying traditional foods.

Death and Rebirth

Special meals are served for all kinds of occasions, from birthdays and weddings to religious holidays. In many cultures, people also prepare food to honor those who have died. The foods we eat come from living things and are sometimes used as symbols of the life cycle—to mark the end of a life, or to share hope that another life will begin. 

What Does Food Mean to You?

Anthea Sieveking, Wellcome Images

Whether it's remembering our family gathered around the dinner table, the weirdest meal we ever had or trips to our favorite food trucks, we love to share stories and pictures about memorable meals and gatherings.

Now you can share!

• Post your photo on Instagram with hashtag #CelebrateFood and include a brief caption.

• Be creative! Feel free to embellish your photo with words about what made the food so special.

Your photo could be selected to be featured in the exhibition or on this site!