As you travel through the country, you find that in nearly every state, certain foods aren’t just foods. Even if it isn’t one of the state’s staple crops, it’s still so commonly eaten there that it’s become a part of the very fabric of the state itself, as interwoven into the culture as the local champion shorts team. In fact, most of these foods are so beloved that they’ve officially been declared a state food.
Some foods are so closely associated with a certain state that they essentially go hand in hand., and the reasons for designating a specific dish, crop, or other food as a state’s official food can vary widely. It may be chosen to celebrate the state’s agricultural heritage, highlight a particular culinary tradition, promote tourism and economic development, or honor a significant contribution to the state’s culture or history.
The process of declaring an official state food varies from state to state, but it usually involves a formal declaration or legislative action from the state government. Once a food is declared an official state food (and even sometimes before), it’s not uncommon for festivals and other events to be held in its honor, and as there’s more increased awareness of the food’s connection to the state, it becomes even more beloved.
Not every state has a single food that’s been declared the State Food; in fact, just a handful of states have only one, and some, like Iowa, surprisingly have none at all (C’mon, Iowa, throw corn a bone here). Also, there’s basically no such thing as a “state food.” There are state fruits, vegetables, nuts, desserts, legumes, grains, pies, berry, herb, treat, sweetener, crustaceans, beans, cookies, doughnuts, muffins, sandwiches, breads, pastries, and so on. Believe it or not, only one state has a single designated “State Food”: Pizza, in Connecticut (if you’ve ever been to New Haven you’ll understand).
For today’s purposes, we’ve narrowed it down to one food, preferably one that’s prepared (as opposed to a crop), except for certain instances when those weren’t available and there’s a state fruit, vegetable, or other staple that the state is known for. And if you’re looking for more icons, check out the must-visit restaurant in every state.
Alabama
- Official food: Lane cake
- Since: 2016
Alaska
- Official food: None but the state fish is the giant king salmon
- Since: 1962
Arizona
- Official food: None but the state fish is the Apache trout
- Since: 1986
Arkansas
- Official food: None but the official state grain is rice
- Since: 2007
California
- Official food: None but the official state nuts are pistachio, walnut, pecan, and almond
- Since: 2017
Colorado
- Official food: None
- Since: N/A
Connecticut
- Official food: Pizza
- Since: A bill to recognize it was submitted in 2023
Delaware
- Official food: Peach pie
- Since: 2009
Florida
- Official food: Key Lime pie
- Since: 2006
Georgia
- Official food: Grits
- Since: 2002
Hawaii
- Official food: None but Saimin is often mentioned as the national dish of Hawaii
- Since: N/A
Idaho
- Official food: Potatoes
- Since: 2002
Illinois
- Official food: Pumpkin pie
- Since: 2015
Indiana
- Official food: None but sugar cream pie is the state’s most iconic dessert
- Since: N/A
Iowa
- Official food: None but the Iowa Chop is a famous local food
- Since: N/A
Kansas
- Official food: None but the Sandhill plum is the state fruit
- Since: 2022
Kentucky
- Official food: None but blackberry is the state fruit
- Since: 2004
Louisiana
- Official food: Gumbo
- Since: 2004
Maine
- Official food: Whoopie pie
- Since: 2011
Maryland
- Official food: Smith Island Cake
- Since: 2008
Massachusetts
- Official food: Boston cream pie
- Since: 1996
Michigan
- Official food: None
- Since: N/A
Minnesota
- Official food: Blueberry muffin
- Since: 1988
Mississippi
- Official food: None but the state is known for the Mississippi mud pie
- Since: N/A
Missouri
- Official food: Ice cream cone
- Since: 2008
Montana
- Official food: None but the state fruit is huckleberry
- Since: 2023
Nebraska
- Official food: None but the state is known for the Runza sandwich
- Since: N/A
Nevada
- Official food: None
- Since: N/A
New Hampshire
- Official food: None but the state fruit is the pumpkin
- Since: 2006
New Jersey
- Official food: Taylor ham, egg and cheese
- Since: 2016
New Mexico
- Official food: Biscochito
- Since: 1989
New York
- Official food: Apple muffin
- Since: 1987
North Carolina
- Official food: None but Scuppernong grape is the state fruit
- Since: 2001
North Dakota
- Official food: None but Chokecherries are the state fruit
- Since: 2007
Ohio
- Official food: None but Pawpaw is the state fruit
- Since: 2009
Oklahoma
- Official food: State meal: Chicken-fried steak, barbequed pork, fried okra, squash, cornbread, grits, corn, sausage with biscuits and gravy, black-eyed peas, strawberries, and pecan pie
- Since: 1988
Oregon
- Official food: None but pear is the state fruit
- Since: 2005
Pennsylvania
- Official food: None but the Shoofly pie is a local favorite
- Since: N/A
Rhode Island
- Official food: Calamari
- Since: 2015
South Carolina
- Official food: Barbecue
- Since: 2014
South Dakota
- Official food: Kuchen
- Since: 2000
Tennessee
- Official food: None but the state fruit is tomato
- Since: 2003
Texas
- Official food: Tortilla chips and salsa
- Since: 2003
Utah
- Official food: Jell-O
- Since: 2001
Vermont
- Official food: Apple pie but it must be served with a glass of cold milk, a slice of cheddar cheese or vanilla ice cream
- Since: 1999
Virginia
- Official food: None but the state is known for the cured country ham
- Since: N/A
Washington
- Official food: None but the state vegetable is the Walla Walla sweet onion
- Since: 2007
West Virginia
- Official food: Pepperoni roll
- Since: A bill to recognize it was submitted in 2023
Wisconsin
- Official food: Kringle
- Since: 2013
Wyoming
- Official food: None but bison is a local favorite
- Since: N/A