We've all read our share of fairy tales but only later do you realize how many involve food.
Food has always been scarce throughout history.
The modern century is really strange where food is plentiful and obesity runs rampant.
Goldilocks doesn't burgle the bears (too hot, too cold, just right) because she's bored. Jack doesn't just use the magic beans but murders the giant and steals his property. Hansel and Gretel aren't just starved but the witch seduces them via food, and then tries to turn them into food.
The CC has already talked about Rapunzel here.
Snow White is seduced by the apple. Cinderella by the pumpkin carriage. Little Red Riding Hood is bringing her grandmother both food and a bottle of wine (and the wolf isn't exactly bored either - grandma is food!)
Food scarcity is a real thing even today for most of the world.
The fairy tales are just telling stories to children about the reality of a past experience.
