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Family Time-Traveling Through Food Decades
Jun 13, 2024
Family Time-Traveling Through Food Decades
Meet the Robshaws
Members: Brandon, Rochelle, Miranda, Roz, and Fred
Embarking on a time-traveling adventure to discover the evolution of food from post-war Britain to the end of the 20th century.
Journey Overview
Start in the 1950s
: Meagre rations
1960s
: Space age
1970s
: Synthetic food era
1980s
: Increased time-pressure influenced ready meals
1990s
: Explosion of cheap and plentiful food
1990s Household Transformation
More casual family rooms (sofas in kitchens)
Fridges filled with semi-prepped food for time-poor families
Emphasis on convenience, e.g., hidden appliances in kitchens
National Food Survey: Tracked shifting dietary trends from 1940 to 1999
Social and Economic Context
By 1990, only a tenth of average income spent on food (down from one-third in 1950)
Recession hit the UK in 1992, jobs and income became unstable
Shift towards privacy and reluctance in participating in National Food Surveys
Family Dynamics and Cooking
Transition in gender roles: 1990s saw men sharing more cooking duties
Abundance of meat, reduced cost of food (e.g., beef during BSE crisis)
Increase in women entering the workforce by the late 90s
Increased integration of leisure (like watching cooking shows)
Culinary Fads and Innovations
Early 90s
: Pop Tarts, pre-prepared salads, fresh pasta, ingredients from around the world
Boom in food entertainment, e.g.,
Ready Steady Cook
Thrifty cooking trends, influence of value brands
Concerns over food safety, e.g., Mad Cow Disease (BSE crisis)
Introduction of organic food and environmental awareness
More time-saving gadgets, e.g., juicers
Growing popularity of restaurant quality food at home (gastropubs)
Environmental and Ethical Concerns
Intensified farming practices and food scares driven shift towards organic and naturally grown food
Organic farms gaining popularity, veggie box schemes
Supermarkets and convenience stores became giant food spaces
Food As Shared Experience
Emphasis on family meals and bonding
Influence of TV shows like Jamie Oliver's
The Naked Chef
Cooking evolved from labor to leisure activity
Fresh pasta making and rediscovering the joy of preparing meals
Conclusion of the Experiment
Reflections on evolving relationship with food and family dynamics
Shift from merely eating to enjoying and valuing food
Importance of understanding where food comes from and appreciating it
Excitement about exploring new foods seen as a valuable life skill
Recognized the role of food in changing family experiences and lifestyles
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