Evening star., 1942-01-25
Nations 5 Food Habits
RevoIutioni1ed BY
War Changes
Survey Shows New
Processes Sowing
Time and Space
special Dispatch to The Star.

NEW YORK, Jan. Nl-Ihe entire
Nations food consuming habits,
from soup to nuts. are being revofu-
tionized. according to a survey made
by the Market Research Corporation
Of America among 100 Of the lead
ing food manufacturers.
THE principal change will have
to do with the increasing demand
for prepared foods that can be
served with . minimum amount of
preparation. since more and more
housewives will be doing their own
cooking" says q large manufacturer.
. Says another: "The boys In camp
are being fed much better than were
those in the FIRST World War. I do
not mean only the quantity ard
quality Of food. but more attention
Is being paid to the proper nutri-
tional balance. All Of this cannot
help but affect the food habits OF
our people. II the war brings an
expeditionary force from America
to Africa, the boys who come back
will bring taste for, which will
develop into q demand for, the kinds
Of food which are eaten In North
Africa"
Army Needs Meat.
Manufacturers who believed the
war would affect food production
processes spoke Of specific changes
necessitated by heightened demand
for new kinds Of foods, such as those
suitable for use by the Army or for
export. The trend toward more
concentrated foods was the most
talked-of processing change. Men
tions were made not only of Short
age Of tin" and other "packaging
problems" but Of the need to CON
serve freight, handling and distribu-
ton costs" As one president said:
IF we are to feed our European
Allies and later feed the peoples of
Europe released from the heel Of
Hitler. 1t will be necessary for US
to ship foodstuffs from which water
has been removed"
Frozen foods will also play their
part. according to such statements
as, ''One car Of frozen peas or spin
ach will equal eight to 10 cars of
fresh packed In hampers or crates.
One car Of frozen orange juice can
replace six cars of oranges. There
Is no economical reason why we
should ship seven cars Of pea pods
Just to be thrown away as soon as
the housewife shells the peas from
them"
Forced TO New Methods.
The report indicates that the food
industry has not only volunteered
tn the war effort, but that 1t is do
ing so to its own ultimate advantage
In many respects. AS the president
Of one company stated: Genius
really exerts itself in times of stress
and all mankind Is benefited by its
new findings"
Many companies recognize that
their very existence depends upon
their ability to develop new prod
ucts. They make such comments
as: "A policy Of research for new
products may mean the salvation Of
some manufacturers"
War may mean the return Of the
cracker barrel. Expect q reversion
to the long forgotten custom of SELL
ing staples in bulk" says the re-
port, which adds: Changes may
take place because Of restrictions on
the use Of paper bags. shopping
bags, etc. Important changes may
be brought about by restrictions on
the use Of tires. II consumers can
not go any great distance away from
home to purchase food supplies. this
may have marked effect on the
large super markets and may very
definitely change consumer buying
habits"