Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-13
Americans Demanding
Better Food Supplies
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

During the war the rallying cry of
the A. E. F.. recognized all over the
world, was. When do we eat?" Ever
Since the war the forces of business and
industry have taken up this cry, with
slight alteration. To-day the question
the most momentous which faces the
business woild.
The American appetite is just as
strong and healthy as it always has
been. In addition, it is a more culti-
waited appetite, which has expanded
with an improved standard Of living.
Business men have recognized this
appetite as one of the constant factors
in the merchandising Of American
products and more and more Of them
have gone into the lines which feed it.
Whether the country is prosperous or
not. l20,000,000 people have to eat.
Few of them are able to overcome the
supet stiton that 1t Is necessary to eat
three times a day. AS a result. BUSH
nesses today are altering rapidly to In
clude food lines. -"
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Grocers declare that their customers
now demand that the stores, whether
| independent or units of chain, carry
meats, as well as all sorts of vegetables
and staple groceries. Groceries are
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operations, where 1t is possible to sat-
isfy the majority of ones needs with
out leaving the building. This trend
i has even extended to the department
store field, and stores Of that character
today are carrying meats, groceries,
condiments and other food products.
The food industry is the largest and
oldest industry in the world, and it is
estimated that IS per cent of the Ma
tons income results from the produce
ton and merchandising Of food prod
uctS. The demand for food is stable,
while the sales of so-called luxury
and decline under depression. Com
panies are now operating throughout
the Nation which specialize in as many
as 100 different food products.
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One of the oldest and largest of the
chain grocery concerns now has en-
larged 20 per cent of its stores to carry
additional food products, such as meat.
In a survey Just completed OF Sc chains
of grocery stores it was discovered that
81 per cent had perfected engagements
to carry additional food products. This
trend has done more to aid the farmer
than the artificial raising OF grain
prices.
In most cases the live stock feeder
and grower is In an exceedingly fortu-
nate position at present, with q ready
market for everything he raises. The
changes in the eating habits OF Ameri-
cans have IN some instances led the
farmerto 90 too far. Take the case OF
lamb. There has been q tremendous
amount Of Spring lamb consumed in
the United States in late years. The
farmers, encouraged by this, have in
creased their herds to the point where
many of them are not making profits
on the meat they raise. This is also
true of the dairy industry. Farmers
made millions In the production OF
butter fat, and then they overproduccd
butter fat and the prices dropped.
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The number of retaurants in the
country, according to governmental bu-
reaus here, has increased along with
the other methods of merchandising
food products. This to some extent Is
a result of the apartment house vogue,
which places a premium on space, so
that adequate kitchen room is some
times lacking.
There is no question that the diet
Of the American people has changed In
late years. The old era of pounded and
fried beefsteak and fried potatoes has
given way before the advanced methods
of transportation and preparation of
various food products. It is now pos
Sible to secure fresh vegetables prac-
tically all the year round at reason
able cost. The same applies 10 fresh
fruits. This has had its effect on the
canned goods industry, on farming, on
the railroads and on the restaurants.
Expansion of the food industry prom
iSes TO continue indefinitely, for the
travel habits of Americans are growing
and their paiates are being educated by
foreign cooks to demand still additional
products On their return home.
Copyright, 1930)