Some states have lots of official foods, while others have none. Perhaps their legislatures choose to debate other issues besides Boston Cream Pie vs. Toll House cookies, or strawberries vs. blueberries. But it's surprising that Hawaii, with its wealth of tropical fruits, hasn't designated an official food. Likewise, agriculture giant California — where Castroville calls itself the "artichoke heart of America" and the Gilroy Garlic Festival attracts thousands — has only the valley quail, the golden trout and the golden poppy as state edibles.

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State symbols

Here are state food-related symbols:

ALABAMA

Barbecue Championship: Demopolis Christmas on the River Barbecue Championship

Freshwater fish: Largemouth bass

Game bird: Wild turkey

Nut: Pecan

Saltwater fish: Tarpon

Fruit: Blackberry

Spirit: Conecuh Ridge Alabama Fine Whiskey

ALASKA

Bird: Willow ptarmigan

Fish: Chinook salmon

Land mammal: Moose

Marine mammal: Bowhead whale

ARIZONA

Fish: Apache trout

Flower: Saguaro cactus blossom

ARKANSAS

Beverage: Milk

Fruit and vegetable: South Arkansas vine ripe pink tomato

Insect: Honeybee

Mammal: White-tailed deer

Trout Capital of the USA: Cotter, Ark.

CALIFORNIA

Bird: Valley quail

Fish: Golden trout

Flower: Golden poppy

COLORADO

Animal: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep

Fish: Greenback cutthroat trout

CONNECTICUT

Shellfish: Eastern oyster

DELAWARE

Beverage: Milk

Fish: Weakfish or sea trout

FLORIDA

Beverage: Orange juice

Freshwater fish: Largemouth bass

Saltwater fish: Atlantic sailfish

Reptile: Alligator

GEORGIA

Championship: Beef Barbecue Championship Cook-Off in Hawkinsville

Championship: Pork Barbecue Championship Cook-Off: "Slosheye Trail Big Pig Jig" in Dooley County

Crop: Peanut

Fish: Largemouth bass

Folk life play: "Swamp Gravy"

Fruit: Peach

Game bird: Bobwhite quail

Insect: Honeybee

Vegetable: Vidalia sweet onion

Poultry capital of the world

HAWAII

None

IDAHO

Fish: Cutthroat trout

Fruit: Huckleberry

Vegetable: Potato

ILLINOIS

Animal: White-tailed deer

Fish: Bluegill

INDIANA

None IOWA

Song: Iowa Corn Song by George Hamilton and Ray Lockard

KANSAS

Animal: Bison

Flower: Sunflower

Insect: Honeybee