It’s bound to be difficult catering for a UN World Food Summit during a world food crisis. According to the London Times, UN organizers were so worried about accusations of hypocrisy that they simplified the conference’s grand opening lunch.

The toned down 2008 summit menu is as follows:

Vol au vent with sweetcorn and mozzarella
Pasta with cream of pumpkin and shrimps
Veal olives with cherry tomatoes and basil
Fruit salad with vanilla ice cream
Vin Orvieto Classico Poggio Calvelli 2005

And while that’s hardly the most abstemious meal, it’s a marked improvement–or deterioration, depending on your point of view– from 2002’s banquet:

Foie gras and toast with kiwi fruit
Lobster in vinaigrette
Fillet of goose with olives
Seasonal vegetables
Compote of fruit with vanilla
Vins multiple fine wines