Food in Colonial America

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