The idiomatic expression "than hunger" is used to express a strong preference or desire for something over another thing. In this case, it means that the speaker values knowledge more than they value eating food.
Sentences with «than hunger»
As a general rule, if you fed formula to your baby less than two hours ago, she's upset for a reason other than hunger. (bluesmartmia.com)
If I pack snacks, I eat them out of boredom rather than hunger and I'm just not that together about it all. (ourfourforks.com)
Nothing ends a child's good mood faster than hunger. (wellnessmama.com)