The main food of the Yamis are yams, fish, and wild vegetables. These come directly from nature, and there is little cash-generating activity.
縱使有，要他們拿出五十、一百元新台幣看病，也很難；因為他們沒收入，那來的錢搭公車、掛號、看病」，田雅各說。雅美族人的主食是芋頭、飛魚、野菜，和在祭典時才吃的豬肉，多數取之於自然，並無太多的買賣行為。