Jamie Michael Gill pleaded guilty to shoplifting when he appeared in the Whanganui District Court last week.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Drew Morrison said that on June 14, Gill and an associate stole seven large packs of meat, worth $214, from Pak 'N Save in Lower Hutt.
"The explanation he gave police was that he was hungry and had no money," Mr Morrison said.
Defence lawyer Anna Brosnahan said Gill had just been released from prison and had little support.
"He was under a lot of financial stress ... but he has since moved to Whanganui, where he has the support of his family, who are in court supporting him today," she said.
Judge Dugald Matheson sentenced Gill to 60 hours' community work. He was ordered to pay $214 to Pak 'N Save.