Nutrient bars, also known as protein bars, supply bars, or simply sticks, were a kind of food ration. These were consumed across numerous periods in the history of the galaxy.
These nutrient sources, categorized as a food ration, were produced in a variety of consistencies, forms, and tastes, all designed to provide rapid nourishment. They existed either as a bar or as a stick, with textures ranging from chewy to easily crumbled. The flavors could be exceptionally delicious, simply palatable, or outright repulsive.
They were suitable for consumption by various lifeforms, such as: Ewoks, Gotals, humans, Togrutas, Twi'leks, and Wookiees.
Leading up to and during the Clone Wars (22 BBY–19 BBY), nutrient bars served as a food alternative for civilians and as standard field provisions for clone troopers within the Grand Army of the Republic. Sabé, previously a handmaiden and body double for Queen Padmé Amidala, consumed a ration bar that she found "not very tasty" because she was too impatient and hungry to wait for "real food" after standing in as Senator Amidala at Mon Mothma's party. Amidala and Senator Rush Clovis delivered nutrient bars, along with medical items, to assist with relief efforts on Bromlarch after the failure of their aqueduct system, which resulted in widespread drought and starvation. On Maridun, Ahsoka Tano, a young Togruta Padawan and Jedi, consumed a ration bar as she discussed the circumstances in the Lurmen village alongside Captain Rex, Commander Bly, Jedi Master Aayla Secura, and her master, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. During his time in the Battle of Ryloth, Waxer and Boil encountered Numa, an orphaned Twi'lek girl, while scouting the city of Nabat. They offered her a ration bar, which she readily accepted, and she developed a quick friendship with them. While on Cato Neimoidia, as Amidala investigated Clovis's Separatist allegiances, Skywalker refused a ration bar offered by R2-D2, stating that he was not hungry and was awaiting Amidala's signal to join the investigation.
As the war approached its conclusion, Amidala brought along several meal bars during a mission to Batuu, and she was forced to limit herself to only one each day to conserve her supply. When Anakin Skywalker interrogated the imprisoned Silman on Oba Diah, Silman inquired if Skywalker had any sustenance. Skywalker retrieved a cylindrical supply bar from his belt and handed it to Silman, who then expressed his desire to give it to his "babies," despite his addled state.
In 5 BBY at the Academy for Young Imperials located on Lothal, the Empire furnished cadets with ration bars as a food choice in the academy dining hall. Zare Leonis, a young human male, suggested these to Jai Kell when their meal was interrupted by a summons for an assessment in the Well.
During the Coyerti campaign in 3 BBY, Hazram Namir, a male human, served alongside Gadren, a male Besalisk, and Roach, a female human. Roach and Gadren had organized the ration packs based on their labeled flavors and their actual flavors, which they had learned through experience. They provided Namir with a nutrient bar, which he described as tasting like "chemically infused mucilage."
In 3 ABY, Luke Skywalker briefly left the Rebel Alliance following the Battle of Hoth to seek out Yoda, a Jedi Master, on Dagobah. Skywalker brought along boxes of rations, among which were dehydrated bars. As he prepared to eat, Yoda approached, sorted through Skywalker's rations, and sampled them while testing Luke's patience and frustration. Yoda spat out a portion and questioned how such sustenance could contribute to Skywalker's development.
While stationed on Endor in 4 ABY, Leia Organa formed a friendship with Wicket Wystri Warrick, a young Ewok, by offering him one of her rations. Following the Battle of Endor, Organa dispatched Han Solo, a General, and his Wookiee companion Chewbacca to retrieve crates of ration sticks from General Hera Syndulla to prevent the Ewoks from cooking and consuming the captured Imperial stormtroopers. As Solo and Syndulla negotiated, Chewbacca helped himself to a ration stick, and they then delivered the crates to the Ewoks.
The initial appearance of ration bars was in the 1980 original trilogy movie, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, during Luke Skywalker's meeting with Yoda on Dagobah. They also featured in several episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Within the Legends continuity, the designation for ration bars varied. They were reintroduced into the new canon and were given their commonly used canon name in the Servants of the Empire series, penned by Jason Fry, although the name has still varied.