Food is, indeed, the first article. Food is considered as the highest prosperity. It is from food that life originates as also energy and prowess and strength.
अन्नं वै प्रथमं द्रव्यमन्नं श्रीश्च परा मता। अन्नात् प्राणः प्रभवति तेजो वीर्यं बलं तथा॥