1. Commodification of Food By: Emily Allen, Yvonne Gierczyk Kevin Jackson, Jason Krom, Maddy Stephens

2. Role Evolution in Food Production “Until recently, food preparation has been largely the work of women. One of the most important developments affecting America’s eating habits in the past 100 years has been the evolution of new roles for women (and men), as more women have entered the workforce and families have become smaller. New technologies and changes in gender relationships have both played a role. Better kitchen appliances and the availability of more processed foods have cut the amount of time necessary to prepare food and helped make it possible for women to do more things outside the home.” (Douglas Bowers: Food Review)

3. Hunter- Gather  Men primarily hunted, while women collected fruits and plants, which was the staple of the hunter-gathering family in most regions.  Because food production and preparation was essential for survival, everyone pitched in to help with food preparation.

4.  Children assisted in fishing, collecting fruits, and helped their mothers with meal preparation, because passing this knowledge on was key to future group survival.  Cleaning up after meals was not much of an issue since they used what they had, and moved constantly in search for food.

5. Agricultural  Women’s role changed dramatically with the shift to an agricultural society. Women became associated predominantly with domestic work, while men were associated with field work. This division however varied with social class, where lower class individuals could not afford the cost of separate spheres.

6.  Men usually cut wood and hauled coal for fuel. Soot from stoves complicated cleaning for women and since few houses had indoor plumbing, water for cooking and all other purposes had to be pumped and carried in from outside (usually the work of children and women).

7.  Women prepared most food from scratch. Bread was baked at home in rural areas, with one day a week being largely devoted to baking. Only food in season could be used.  Children were considered assets to the family, and helped with food production and preparation. Sons would help the fathers till and plow the field, and daughters would help mothers with food preparation and clean up.  Familial bonds were strong due to the time shared in food production.

8. Industrialization  In 1900, on average, a women spent 44 hours a week preparing meals and cleaning up after them.  With the invention of electricity and indoor plumbing, food preparation was cut down. By 1920 the time spent by women in meal preparation and cleanup had fallen from 44 hours per week to under 30 hours. Urban women spent several hours less than rural women.

9.  With industrialization came the mass production of food. An array of new convenience foods were carried in grocery stores— packaged desserts, pancake mixes, bouillon cubes, and commercially canned goods multiplied and helped save time for women in food preparation.

10.  Mass agriculture and grocery stores relieved families of the need to cultivate their own food source. Thus leaving men and sons with no job in food production, besides “bringing home the bacon.” Familial bonds weakened because men and children primarily worked outside the home.  Women’s magazines reinforced traditional ideals of women as homemakers. Especially during times of high unemployment, women’s role in food production was strategically emphasized. (as seen in the 1950’s with the massive advertising campaign to lure women back into the kitchen)

11. Post-Industrialism  Time spent on meal preparation and clean-up dropped below 20 hours a week in the 1950’s. Never had food been easier to prepare than in the 1950’s. Housewives could now choose from a variety of frozen foods, a technology that had been important to the war. The invention of the TV dinner came in 1954, which became the symbol of the 1950’s. Some women also got a break when their husbands took up barbequing, and children helped with cleaning the dishes.

12.  With the women’s liberation movement and technological advancements, the trend toward convenience in meal preparation flourished.  In 1998, almost 70% of married women with children under 18 were in the labor force.  The invention of the microwave allows for meals to be prepared with the touch of a button, freeing women from the duty of intense meal preparation.  Recent surveys also reveal that American’s feel they lack the knowledge necessary to cook well.

13. Post-Modern Reality  American cooking habits in the 1980’s and 90’s reflect the effects of hectic work and home schedules. More women are choosing to work full-time. People living in two-wage earner families have less time for meal preparation. Women are still predominantly held responsible for food preparation, but men are starting to take more time by helping cook and do grocery shopping.  By 1998, only a quarter of married couples with one or more persons in the labor force conformed to the traditional family where the husband had a job and the wife stayed at home. People living in two-earner and single-parent households have less time to fix meals.  With the commodification of food production the entire family has less of a responsibility preparing meals, cleaning up, and eating together. (Ironically, gourmet kitchens have become one of the most demanded items in new houses, expressing perhaps more of a dream than a reality).

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