A panel including a starch foam core which is composed of starch, which is one of resilient foam or hardened foam; and which has a form selected from the group consisting of a plurality of strands which are straight and in essentially parallel alignment with one another, and a plurality of strands which are bent and arranged in an undulating path; and at least one outer layer composed of sheet material and provided directly on a surface of the starch foam core in engaging contact therewith; wherein the panel is prepared in a continuous process. A method for preparing the panel includes preparing a starch foam in an extruder; forming the starch foam core by extruding the starch foam in a form selected from the group consisting of strands which are straight and in essentially parallel alignment with one another, and strands which are bent and arranged in an undulating path; immediately after forming the starch foam core, directly and continuously introducing the starch foam core into direct surface contact with the at least one outer layer; and compacting the starch foam core and simultaneously bonding the starch foam core directly to the at least one outer layer to form the panel.