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Early 1900s
At the beginning of the 20th century many places were still developing and many still relied on agriculture for their main food source. Rural families lived off the land, having their own livestock and gardens. Meat, poultry, and fish were the main protein sources, as well as vast fruit and vegetables for other nutrient needs. -
Early 1900s
During this time refrigeration was still not a thing, so people would preserve foods with salting, canning, pickling, and other preservation methods. Many still self-reliant for food and grew most at home, but some stores sold canned goods. This was not the time of convenience as most stores only sold some goods, meals had to be grown and prepared at home. -
Middle 1900s
At this point in the development of food many people had refrigerators and still ate at home, but food was beginning to change. Frozen meals and TV dinners popularity began rising during this time, as well as the establishment of fast food. Diners and places like McDonald's became common among Americans and by 1955 Swanson's, a popular TV dinner brand, had sold over 10 million TV dinners. -
Late 1900s
People knew that with a rising population like the US agriculture could not solely support the demand for food. Processed foods began gaining popularity among families for quick and easy meals that were filling. Fast food began expanding with more and more restaurants opening nationwide. Processed foods becoming more popular meant people were getting less nutrients than years prior like those who ate food grown themselves. -
Early 2000s
By 2000 most food development is how we know it today. Processed foods gain even more popularity, as well as even more fast food places. Diet fads made way for healthy alternatives to the processed food, but still a majorly over-processed diet for the average American.