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Food is a major theme in The Hunger Games trilogy, as well as in the prequel novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This theme manifests in a variety of ways: descriptions of meals, whether simple or elaborate, are a regular feature of the narratives; for several years, putting food on her family's table was the primary focus of Katniss Everdeen’s existence; and it was through food (specifically bread) that Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark made the connection that set many later events of the trilogy in motion.

On a more symbolic level, descriptions of food often help to set the tone for a particular scene: They help to distinguish between different areas of Panem, and reveal details about society and culture. In poorer areas, such as the Seam in District 12, the people have a very hardscrabble existence, and the foods listed tend to be very basic and/or low in quality, such as bread made from ration grain and dishes made from whatever ingredients can be found in the surrounding woods. In contrast, cuisine in the Capitol is often described as very over-the-top, made with an endless variety of expensive and high quality ingredients, and served in large portions or buffets. Even within the Capitol, however, not everyone sets the same table, and certain characters struggle with basic food needs as much as anyone in the districts. Aside from such distinctions, different types of food are associated with specific areas of Panem, depending of the district's industry, climate, and economic/demographic makeup.

In the Training Center, the tributes' rooms are equipped with machines that deliver freshly prepared food to the rooms' occupants in less than a minute.[1]

The Capitol[]

Snow family apartment[]

  • Boiled cabbage and potatoes[2]
  • Lima beans[3]
  • Bacon[3]
  • Chicken[3]
  • Roasted meat[3]
  • Milk/cheese[3]
  • Jam bread[3]
  • Bread pudding drizzled with corn syrup[4]
  • Cabbage soup[4]
  • Fried potatoes[5]
  • Buttermilk[5]
  • Red beans[4]
  • Chicken noodle soup[6]

Lunch at the Academy[]

Reaping Day (9th Hunger Games)[]

Reaping Day (10th Hunger Games)[]

  • Posca (watery wine mixed with honey and herbs)[2]
  • Creamed onions[3]
  • Boiled potatoes[3]
  • Summer squash[3]
  • Baked ham[3]
  • Rolls with butter[3]
  • Apple pie[3]

Funeral of Arachne Crane[]

  • Peach pie[6]
  • Fried chicken[6]
  • Buttered biscuits[6]
  • Grape punch[6]

Courtesy of Ma Plinth[]

For tributes at zoo[]

  • Meatloaf sandwiches with ketchup[7]
  • Plums[7]
  • Hard-boiled eggs[4]
  • Bread wedges[4]

Offered to/eaten by Coriolanus Snow[]

Sent to District 12[]

  • Cherry tarts[9]
  • Caramel popcorn balls[9]
  • Frosted chocolate cookies[9]

District 12[]

Peackeepers' mess hall[]

Breakfast with Gale in the woods[]

  • Fresh bakery bread[13]
  • Goat cheese with basil leaves[13]
  • Blackberries[13]

Purchased at the Hob[]

Pre-Reaping breakfast (74th Hunger Games)[]

Post-Reaping dinner (prepared, but unknown if eaten)[]

  • Fish stew with wild greens[13]
  • Bakery bread[13]
  • Wild strawberries[13]

“Rough times” (after Mr. Everdeen’s death)[]

Courtesy of Greasy Sae[]

  • Soups
    • Mincemeat, pig entrails, and tree bark (a “winter specialty”)[17]
    • Gourd and bean[14]
    • Wild dog and rhubarb[18]
  • Eggs, toast, and bacon (made for Katniss during her recovery following the Second Rebellion)[19]

Mellark bakery specialties[]

  • Apple and goat cheese tart[20]
  • Cheese buns[21]
  • Cinnamon-and-dill bread[22]
  • Cookies[17]
  • Iced cakes[23]
  • Raisin-and-nut bread[15]

In the woods[]

  • Beavers[14]
  • Blackberries[13]
  • Deer[24]
  • Waterfowl
  • Fish[13]
  • Honey (Katniss mentions that the wine she tasted on her first night in the Capitol could be improved by adding some honey,[1] and recounts to Peeta that she once got into a standoff with a black bear over a beehive.[23])
  • Katniss roots[25]
  • Lynx[13]
  • Plums[26]
  • Rabbits[16]
  • Squirrels[13]
  • Strawberries[13]
  • Wild dog[13]
  • Wild greens[13]
  • Wild turkey[17]

Miscellaneous[]

  • Brightly colored hard candy in "flat round disks" (from the district's tiny sweet shop)[16]
  • Peas (Katniss mentions that peas are grown in a garden in District 12)[27]
  • Hunting rations (several weeks after 74th Hunger Games)
  • Peppermint candies (possibly from the sweetshop)[22]
  • Cheese sandwiches (eaten by District 13 propo team while filming)[28]

Tribute train[]

74th Hunger Games[]

Dinner[]

  • Thick carrot soup[17]
  • Green salad[17]
  • Lamb chops and mashed potatoes[17]
  • Cheese and fruit[17]
  • Chocolate cake[17]

Breakfast[]

75th Hunger Games[]

Dinner[]

  • Soup of pureed vegetables (served cold)[30]
  • Fish cakes with creamy lime paste[30]
  • Small roasted birds filled with orange sauce[30]
    • Served with wild rice and watercress[30]
  • Chocolate custard dotted with cherries[30]

Snacks[]

  • Warm milk with honey and spices, ordered by Katniss to soothe her nerves[30]

Katniss' lunches with Cinna[]

74th Hunger Games[]

  • Chicken with oranges in creamy sauce[27]
    • "Pearly white grain", presumably rice[27]
  • Green peas with onions[27]
  • Flower-shaped rolls[27]
  • Honey-colored pudding[27]

75th Hunger Games[]

  • Pheasant[31]
    • Served with “jewel-colored jellies”[31]
  • Tiny vegetables in melted butter[31]
  • Mashed potatoes with parsley[31]
  • Fruit dipped in melted chocolate (i.e. fondue)[31]

District 12 apartment, Training Center[]

74th Hunger Games[]

Dinner after the Tribute Parade[]

  • Goose liver and puffy bread (eaten by Katniss as an appetizer)[1]
  • Wine (described as dry and tart)[1]
  • Mushroom soup[1]
  • Bitter greens with tiny tomatoes[1]
  • Rare roast beef[1]
  • Noodles in "green sauce" (pesto?)[1]
  • Cheese and blue grapes[1]
  • Cake “flambé” (soaked in alcohol and lit on fire)[1]

First breakfast in the Capitol[]

"At least twenty dishes" were on offer at this meal[23]

  • Eggs[23]
  • Sausages[23]
  • "Batter cakes" (pancakes?) covered with "orange preserves" (marmalade?)[23]
  • Pale purple melon[23]
  • Beef stew served over "hot grain" (porridge?)[23]
  • Rolls[23]
  • Hot chocolate[23]

Gamemakers' table[]

  • Whole suckling pig with apple

Dinner after private training session[]

  • Fish soup[26]
  • Rolls (with butter)[26]
  • Pork chops and mashed potatoes[26]
  • Wine[26]

Breakfast, interview coaching day[]

  • Lamb stew with dried plums served over wild rice (Katniss' favorite dish)[26]
  • Orange juice[26]

Dinner after interviews, 74th Hunger Games[]

  • The only dish mentioned was "cream and rose-petal soup"[32]

75th Hunger Games[]

Dinner after the Tribute Parade[]

  • The only dish mentioned was peas in a "buttery sauce"[33]

First breakfast in the Capitol[]

Party at the presidential mansion (74th Hunger Games Victory Tour)[]

At least 20 varieties of soup[]

  • Creamy pumpkin with slivered nuts and tiny black seeds (poppy seeds?)[34]
  • Clear green broth described as “tasting like springtime”[34]
  • Frothy pink soup with raspberries[34]

Whole roasted animals[]

Fowl stuffed with fruits and nuts[]

  • Small roasted birds filled with orange sauce[34]

“Ocean creatures” (i.e. seafood) with various sauces[]

  • Table of shellfish (mentioned in passing)[34]
    • Oysters? (Katniss mentions in passing that she had only tried oysters once, at some point in the Capitol.[35] Maybe it was here?)

Many varieties of bread, cheese, vegetables, and sweets[]

  • Table of cakes (at least one decorated with chocolate flowers)[34]

Drinks[]

  • Wine and flaming spirits[34]
  • Glasses of clear liquid (allows one to vomit up their previous meal in order to eat more)[34]

In the Arena[]

74th Hunger Games[]

  • In Katniss' backpack
  • Hunted game
  • Courtesy of Rue
    • "quite a collection of nuts, roots, and greens"[38]
      • "starchy root" (similar to parsnip)[38]
      • Berries[38]
    • Two large eggs (from some kind of water fowl)[39]

75th Hunger Games[]

  • First night's meal
    • Charred tree rat meat[43]
    • Roasted nuts (similar to chestnut)[43]
    • Tree water[43]
  • Morning meal, day two
  • Last meal

First meals out of the Arena[]

74th Hunger Games[]

In the hospital[]

Training Center[]

Served to Seneca Crane[]

  • Nightlock berries (film only)

District 13[]

Breakfast[]

  • Bowl of "hot grain" (porridge?)[46]
  • Cup of milk[46]
  • Scoop of fruit/vegetables
    • Mashed turnips[46]
    • Mushy beets[28]
    • Stewed squash w/garlic[47]

Lunch[]

  • Sliced bread
  • Cup of Water
  • Stews
    • Bean and onion[18]
    • Fish and okra (described as "grayish")[48]
    • Fish and beet[49]

Dinner[]

  • Stew with minced venison[28]
  • Pea soup[28]
  • Beef stew with potatoes, turnips, and onions[49]

Miscellaneous[]

  • Coffee (served with cream and sugar, only dispensed as an "emergency stimulant" following the bombing of District 13)[50]
  • Pudding (food that Peeta was allowed to feed himself during his recovery from being hijacked)[51]
  • Elaborately decorated, four-tiered cake (created by Peeta as a from of hijacking therapy and served at the wedding of Finnick Odair and Annie Cresta).[52]
  • Apple cider (served at Finnick and Annie's wedding, as alcohol is strictly forbidden in District 13)[52]

Rebels in the Capitol[]

Squad 451 mission[]

While taking refuge in a Capitol apartment after triggering a series of pods, Squad 451 searches for food and finds "over thirty canned goods and several boxes of cookies"[53] stashed away.

Misc.[]

  • Sausage (eaten by unsuspecting woman in apartment broken into by Squad 451)[56]
  • Stale bread, moldy cheese, and mustard (courtesy of Tigris)[54]
  • Banana (carried by Capitol refugee heading towards the City Circle)[55]
  • Hash of chopped ham and potatoes (courtesy of Tigris)[55]

Trivia[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 The Hunger Games, Chapter 6
  2. 2.0 2.1 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 1
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 2
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 6
  5. 5.0 5.1 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 7
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 9
  7. 7.0 7.1 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 5
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 19
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 22
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 21
  11. 11.0 11.1 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 24
  12. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 25
  13. 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 13.14 13.15 The Hunger Games, Chapter 1
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 Catching Fire, Chapter 1
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 The Hunger Games, Chapter 2
  16. 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 The Hunger Games, Chapter 4
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 The Hunger Games, Chapter 3
  18. 18.0 18.1 Mockingjay, Chapter 4
  19. Mockingjay, Chapter 27
  20. The Hunger Games, Chapter 23
  21. Catching Fire, Chapter 10
  22. 22.0 22.1 Catching Fire, Chapter 11
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 23.8 23.9 The Hunger Games, Chapter 7
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 The Hunger Games, Chapter 20
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 Catching Fire, Chapter 3
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 26.6 The Hunger Games, Chapter 8
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 27.6 The Hunger Games, Chapter 5
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Mockingjay, Chapter 9
  29. 29.0 29.1 The Hunger Games (film)
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 Catching Fire, Chapter 14
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 Catching Fire, Chapter 15
  32. The Hunger Games, Chapter 10
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 33.6 Catching Fire, Chapter 16
  34. 34.00 34.01 34.02 34.03 34.04 34.05 34.06 34.07 34.08 34.09 34.10 Catching Fire, Chapter 6
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 Catching Fire, Chapter 25
  36. 36.0 36.1 The Hunger Games, Chapter 11
  37. The Hunger Games, Chapter 12
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 The Hunger Games, Chapter 15
  39. 39.0 39.1 39.2 The Hunger Games, Chapter 16
  40. The Hunger Games, Chapter 18
  41. 41.0 41.1 The Hunger Games, Chapter 19
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 The Hunger Games, Chapter 22
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 Catching Fire, Chapter 20
  44. 44.0 44.1 44.2 Catching Fire, Chapter 22
  45. 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 45.4 45.5 The Hunger Games, Chapter 26
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 Mockingjay, Chapter 3
  47. Mockingjay, Chapter 8
  48. Mockingjay, Chapter 5
  49. 49.0 49.1 Mockingjay, Chapter 17
  50. Mockingjay, Chapter 11
  51. Mockingjay, Chapter 14
  52. 52.0 52.1 Mockingjay, Chapter 16
  53. 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 53.4 53.5 Mockingjay, Chapter 21
  54. 54.0 54.1 Mockingjay, Chapter 23
  55. 55.0 55.1 55.2 55.3 55.4 55.5 55.6 55.7 Mockingjay, Chapter 24
  56. Mockingjay, Chapter 22
  57. The Hunger Games: Tribute Guide, Page 108
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