Hungry Planet, an exhibit of photographs documenting what families around the world eat and providing a unique look at worldwide food consumption, is on display starting Saturday, October 18, at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.

The exhibit’s 48 color photographs depict everything from American fast food restaurants and lavishly stocked bakery displays to Cuban food ration cards and a waterside market in Mali.

The exhibit remains on display through Sunday, January 18.

In conjunction with the Hungry Planet exhibit, the Central Library presents From Seed to Plate: Powell Gardens Premieres a New Type of Garden on Tuesday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m.

From Seed to Plate will be presented by Alan Branhagen, director of horticulture at Powell Gardens. Branhagen will discuss plans for a major new expansion at Powell Gardens opening in late spring 2009, Heartland >Harvest Garden.

Powell Gardens is a 915-acre botanical garden 30 miles east of Kansas City. Heartland Harvest Garden is intended to celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage by showcasing orchards, field crops, vegetables, and other food plants.

Set on 12 acres, the new attraction includes a youth garden, a quilt garden, a menu (potager) garden, and an author’s vegetable garden with rotating exhibits. Already in place is a butterfly garden for pollination. Construction is underway on a barn which will feature a café and demonstration kitchen and a greenhouse for tropical food plants.

A 6 p.m. reception precedes the event. Admission is free. Call 816.701.3407 to indicate your interest in attending or RSVP online. Free parking is available in the Library District Parking Garage at 10th and Baltimore.

Hungry Planet was organized by COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa, California. The exhibit is toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. Founded in 1972, Mid-America is a nonprofit regional arts organization based in Kansas City, Missouri.