Food is an essential aspect of any living creature's life.

It is the primary source

of nutrition that allows any living species to survive. In this essay I will discuss
about the roles played by food in society: preserving cultural identity,
providing opportunities to socialise, and maintaining good health.
To begin with, culture, religion, and social background all have an impact on
what people eat and do not eat. Food is an essential component of cultural
identity. The activities of people in their daily lives define culture. One can gain
insight into one's identity by examining cultural customs such as food choices.
The ability to adapt and integrate into a specific behaviour identifies a specific
cultural group. As youngsters get older, they develop an attachment to the
cuisine consumed in his community, which eventually becomes his culture. The
consistent use of certain foods and commitment to certain eating patterns
contribute significantly to cultural identity. A sense of belonging comes from
being comfortable with specific tastes and routines.
Another important role of food is providing opportunities to socialise. Food is
something we all have in common. It is difficult to imagine coming together
with friends without the company of food, whether it's for coffee, brunch, a
lengthy lunch, or a BBQ.
To sum up, food signifies different meanings to different people and is valuable
in developing relationships and in communication. In my opinion, the most
significant role played by food in society is that of preserving cultural identity
because no matter how much our world is going to change there will always be
a type of traditional food to remind us of our roots.