1. Food in Colonial America
3rd Grade
George Hall Elementary

2. Food in American: Colonial Times & Present Day
Colonists got their food from several places:
People who lived on the coast often caught fish and whales.
Farmers grew crops like wheat, barley, corn, tobacco, corn and rice. They would trade with others in the town.
Families raised pigs, goats, cows, and chickens.
People would hunt wild animals and gather fruit from the wild to eat.
Today people get most of their food from a supermarket , store, or farmer’s market.
Many people hunt or fish for some of their food.
Some people grow vegetables or fruit in their garden.
Most farmers sell their food to big companies that process and sell their food at the grocery store.

3. Food in American: Colonial Times & Present Day
Colonial Breakfast
Eaten early in the day if you were poor and later in the day if you were rich.
Early settlers rose early and went to work on their chores, then ate breakfast when they finished.
Many people ate cornmeal mush, porridge, molasses, and cider.
Richer people ate bread, muffins, toast, fruit pastries, cold meats, and butter.
Breakfast Today
Eaten first thing in the morning.
Varies from house to house.
Coffee, tea, milk or juice are usually served.
Some people eat cold cereal , breakfast bars, or toast.
Larger meals are also eaten and may include: eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, etc.

4. Food in American: Colonial Times & Present Day
Colonial Dinner
Mid-day meal (early afternoon).
It was the biggest meal of the day.
Stews(with meat, corn, cabbage, and other vegetables) were served in trenchers or on a piece of hollowed out bread—then the bread was eaten as part of the dinner.
Puddings, pies, fruit, nuts, salads, gingerbread cake, spice cake, and cheese were served in wealthier families.
Lunch (Present Day)
Served at or around noon.
Lighter meal for most.
Wide variety of foods served, but could include something light such as soup, sandwiches, fruit, or salad.

5. Food in American: Colonial Times & Present Day
Supper (Colonial Times)
Some people did not eat supper at all.
If supper was eaten, it was a light meal served at the end of the day.
Made up of leftovers and eaten before bed.
Many people ate gruel or pudding (boiling water mixed with oats, Indian cornmeal, or some other grain).
Roasted/boiled potatoes, eggs, and other egg dishes were also served at suppertime.
Dinner/Supper
Main meal of the day.
Served at the end of the day.
A variety of things are served for this main meal.
It usually consists of more than one course, and may include: appetizers, salad, main course, side items like vegetables and a starch, and dessert.

6. Colonial Food
Colonial food was made from things that were readily available including: grains, wheat, certain fruits, meats (if you were wealthier you ate meat more often), cheese, eggs, molasses for sweetening (because sugar was expensive and hard to get), nuts, and salt. A lot of different spices were not used because they were hard to get and cost a lot of money.

7. Examples of Colonial Foods
Hasty Pudding
Boiled Potatoes
Dried Apples & Other Fruits
Brown Bread (sweetened with molasses)
Molasses Cookies
Tapioca Pudding
Egg Pie (served for dinner)

8. Examples of Colonial Foods
Onion Pie
Beef Stew with Vegetables
Hot Apple Cider
Homemade Butter
Goat’s Milk
Mush (oats or other grains and hot water)
Boiled Potatoes with Salt