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From Pot Roast to PowerBars
A century of American eating habits
By Rachel Yuen
As poodle skirts have given way to miniskirts, malt floats have given way to… pink Vitamin Water? Clothing and music have changed over time, and so have diet patterns. Dining was once considered a luxury, and “trans fat” was a word foreign to the public. Here’s a look back at Americans and their food in the 20th century.
1900
Food accounts for 20 percent of all products manufactured in the United States.
1906
The Federal Pure Food and Drug Law places standards of quality on food and drug producers. This was a result of the public’s increased awareness of poor food production conditions; exposés like Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle brought these issues to light.
1923
Two-thirds of American retail businesses are still “Mom and Pop” stores.
1930
Most grocers expand to become supermarkets.
1944
Clarence Birdseye leases the first insulated railroad cars, making nationwide frozen food distribution possible and creating a market for frozen foods.
Post World War II the food industry adapts techniques used to feed soldiers overseas. Advertisements and the media promote products such as instant coffee and canned onion soup, with advice like this from Household magazine: “If you’re a typical modern housewife, you want to do your cooking as fast as possible."
1954
Swanson markets its first frozen TV dinner: turkey with dressing, peas and mashed potatoes.
1960
Beef consumption surpasses pork consumption.
1980s
Americans eat fast food nine times a month on average.
1991
Salsa trumps ketchup as the leader in sales of American condiments.
2005
Total meat consumption reaches 200 pounds per person annually. Soft drinks account for 28 percent of the total beverages consumed.
2006
As of Jan. 1, food manufacturers are required to list trans fat content on nutrition labels.
2008
Market analysts predict we’ll see more creative and environmentally friendly ways to produce and package food. Such techniques may include using wind power energy.