Understanding Food Consumption

• Settlers need food every 2 minutes or 1 minute 40 seconds depending on species.
• Each settler consumes 6-8 pieces of food per year, depending on race and biome modifiers.
• The game doesn’t provide a clear food stockpile breakdown, so use these numbers to estimate your needs.

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Raw Food vs. Processed Food

• Raw Food: Gathered directly from resource nodes. No direct benefits beyond preventing hunger but prevents resolve debuffs.
• Processed Food: Provides a better yield and increases resolve.
  • Example: Skewers Recipe → 7 raw food becomes 10 processed food.
  • Higher efficiency workshops yield even better ratios.
• Tip: If you can process food, always do it for better sustainability.

Food Consumption Control:

• Disable raw food consumption when a workshop is processing it.
• Processed food is more efficient and provides better bonuses, so prioritize it over raw food.

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Food Sources: Finite vs. Infinite

• Finite Sources: Resource nodes that deplete over time.
  • Tip: Use keystones and perks to increase resource node yield.
• Infinite Sources: Fertile soil & farms.
  • Tip: Secure 2-3 farm plots and stack fertility bonuses.
  • Some buildings process rainwater for year-round food production.
• Hybrid Strategy: Specialize in one primary food source but complement it with the other.

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Hidden Food Sources & Side Production

• Many buildings generate food passively.
  • Example: Woodcutters generate Kelpwood, which produces salad.
• Monitor all sources to maximize efficiency.
• Trade excess food or convert it into more valuable processed goods.

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Drafting Food Production Buildings

• Prioritize base materials first (planks, bricks, fabric).
• Once basic industry is set up, prioritize food buildings.
• Flour-producing buildings are especially valuable.
  • Example: Flour → Biscuits = High-efficiency food chain.
• Buy blueprints for infinite food sources when possible.

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Specialty Food Types

1. Water & Flour-Based Foods

• Water is infinite if connected to a geyser.
• Example: Porridge (Beanery Recipe) → Uses drizzle water and minimal raw food.
• Flour Recipes: High yield, flour turns 6 raw food into 10 processed food.
• Tip: If you have access to grain, root, or mushrooms, set up a flour mill ASAP.

2. Field Kitchen (Emergency Only)

• Low efficiency (10 raw food = 10 processed food at best).
• Primary use: Temporary resolve boosts.
• Avoid relying on it long-term.

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Food as a Victory Path

• Resolve Bonuses: Settlers eat two types of complex food if available.
  • Example: Beavers prefer Biscuits + Pickled Goods.
• Control when settlers eat complex food:
  • During peace: Allow food for reputation gain.
  • During storms: Restrict food to keep settlers stable.
• Food Surplus = Trade Power: Sell excess food or reinvest in flour & complex food production.

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Final Tips

✔ Specialize in a food strategy (resource gathering or farming). ✔ Monitor passive food generation from other industries. ✔ Prioritize processed food over raw food. ✔ Use the consumption control panel to maximize efficiency. ✔ Expand food production early to prevent shortages. ✔ Food is both a survival tool and a victory condition—manage it wisely!