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Early 1800s
Most fruits and vegetables were grown on farmland, and people processed meats such as beef, pork, or poultry. People preferred to eat foods that filled them up like dairy, meat, hominy, oatmeal and sugar. -
1880
People had seasonal diets. In the spring and summer months, they ate many more fruits and vegetables than they did in the fall and winter. Milk had to be brought in from the family dairy cow and cream and butter made from it. After someone brought in the milk, it usually sat out for about an hour. -
Early 1900s
Many people still used agriculture as their main food source. They used their own land, and their own livestock. Markets were not easily accessible due to transportation issues, so most people grew food and harvested livestock. -
Period: to
World War
The World Wars required civilians to temporarily modify eating practices, changes that transformed the American diet and food system. During WW I, the US government encouraged civilians, often through posters, to consume more fresh foods, such as produce, eggs, and dairy products, because they were unsuitable for shipment to the warfront. -
1950-1960
Frozen foods like fruits, vegetables and TV dinners became household staples. Canned foods including soups were also popular. People began to experiment with more ethnic foods. There were cooking shows on the TV that allowed people to learn to cook French food. There were several snack inventions such as Pringles. Diet drinks such as Diet Pepsi were also invented in the 1960s, and marketed specifically to women.