Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-14
WHAT POOR PEOPLE EAT.
the Title of an Agricultural
DEPARTMENT RepOrt.


Washington. Feb. 1S.-The result of in
vestigations into the food habits of num-
ber of families in the congested districts
of New York city in 1895 and 1896 has
been made public by the agricultural de-
partment in report entitled Dietary
Studies in New York City" The report
was prepared by Professors w. o. Atwater
and .. d. Woods, under whose immediate
directions the Investigations were conduct
ed. with the cooperation of the New York
Association for the Improvement of the
Poor. The general plan of inquiry consisted
in visiting a number of typical families i'll
the worst congested portions of the city,
observing the kinds and amounts of food
which they bought and prices which they
paid, noting whether they obtained good
weight and measure, and subjectinS speci-
mems of the food materials to analysis for
the purpose of learning their nutritive
values.
The work in New York was done mostly
by DIR. Isabelle Delaney. The investigation
consisted mainly of the studies of dietaries
of families of the poorer classes. the ma
jority of whom were on the East side, +"
near the junction of Cherry and Catherine
streets. The people in whose families the
studies were made represented large
they were slovenly, shiftless and took little
were slovenly and shiftless and took little
interest in the appearance OF their homes
and tables. Other families, though ignor-
ant, We're willing and anxious to learn now
they might improve their habits of living.
The main results of each study are given,
with brief description of the chief feat
ures.
Following this are some valuable sug-
gestions regarding the improvement of the
tood habits Of city poor. 1t is Impossible;
the report says, TO lay down any hard and
fast rules which shall govern the pur-
chase of food by family, as these must
to a very great extent, be determined by
the different local conditions.
In many of the families. there was no
attempt made to spread an attractive ta-
Bile. One of the most common observa-
ticns among those who are familiar with
the habits Of the poorer classes of wage
workers, the report continues. is to the
effect that not inconsiderable amount OF
the prevalence OF intemperance can be
traced to poor food and unattractive home
tables.
Throughout all these dietaries, there was
shown very little comprehension Of the
actual nutritive value of the food pur-
chased. the selection apparently being
made according to some whim or taste,
the presence of certain food materials in
had become accustomed TO purchasing
certain kinds of food. The larger num-
Der of families spent more than they real
ly could afford for food, and yet frequent
ly received sufficient nourishment.
The question how these people could
have obtained more nutriment for the
money expenditure is answered only in
the most general terms. 1t is suggested
that one of the best and surest ways to
improve the condition of the poor is to
give them practical instructions and OBJ
ject lessons in the preparation of attrac-
tive, yet simple and cheap. foods. The
subjects upon which the women should be
instructed include lessons upon the best
and most nutritious food materials. and
those best adapted, in point of cost ana
ease of preparation, to the needs and cir
cumstances of the family. and instruction
-l,~ Ii
simple. wholesome and palatable dishes
from such food.