Food — what does it mean?
Create a Food token: an artifact you can pay 2 mana and tap to sacrifice for 3 life.
Food appears on 160 cards.
How does Food work?
Food is a predefined token (rule 111.10b): a colorless artifact token with ‘2 generic mana, tap, sacrifice this token: you gain 3 life.’ On its own that's a slow, small life buffer. Most of the real value comes from other cards that count Food, want you to sacrifice it, or do something when you create one.
Unlike a Treasure, this isn't a mana ability. The life gain goes on the stack, so your opponent can respond before the 3 life arrives. You can activate Food any time you have priority, including on your opponent's turn. Because tapping is part of the cost, you can't use a tapped Food. Summoning sickness doesn't matter, since Food isn't a creature.
Timing matters. Combat damage doesn't use the stack, so if an attack would kill you, use your Food before the combat damage step, for example after blockers are declared. Food is also an artifact and counts for artifact effects. Some cards let you sacrifice a Food as part of a different cost; in that case you don't get the 3 life, because you didn't activate the Food's own ability.
An example at the table
You're at 4 life with an untapped Food and two untapped lands. Your opponent attacks with a creature with 5 power and you can't block. After blockers are declared, you pay 2, tap the Food, and sacrifice it. The ability goes on the stack. Your opponent doesn't respond, and you go to 7. Then damage happens and you end at 2. If your opponent had responded with 4 damage to you, you'd have died before the life gain resolved.
Cards with Food
Tireless ProvisionerIllustration: Josu Hernaiz
Academy ManufactorIllustration: Campbell White
Peregrin TookIllustration: Campbell White
Gilded GooseIllustration: Lindsey Look
The ShireIllustration: Jonas De RoCommon mistakes
- Treating Food like a Treasure. It's not a mana ability; it uses the stack and your opponent can respond.
- Waiting until damage is dealt. Combat damage doesn't use the stack, so use Food no later than the declare blockers step.
- Trying to use a tapped Food. Tapping is part of the cost.
- Thinking sacrificing Food for some other effect also gains 3 life. Only the Food's own ability gains life.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use Food on my opponent's turn?
- Yes. You can activate it any time you have priority.
- Does a Food token have summoning sickness?
- No. Food is an artifact, not a creature, so you can use it the turn you create it.
- Can I sacrifice a Food in response to removal?
- Yes, if it's untapped and you have 2 mana. You still gain 3 life.
- Is Food an artifact?
- Yes, a colorless artifact token with the subtype Food.
Official rule: Comprehensive Rules 111.10b. More on where this rulebook comes from under Sources.
Often seen with
TrampleTreasureFlyingMillPartner
Which cards with Food do you own? →
Last updated: 26 October 2026