The Great Depression was the worst economic disaster in modern American history. At its height, almost 25% of the nation's workforce was unemployed and salaries for those who were still employed dropped significantly – 42.5%. This reduction in salary and workforce created a chain reaction in the economy, affecting what people ate, or rather didn't eat, leading to a new wave of everyday meals of the Great Depression.
Grocers and markets found it hard to keep items on the shelves. Food supply was exacerbated even more when drought led to the Dust Bowl, causing a mass destruction of land and crops. This agricultural depression had long-term economic impacts that contributed to bank closures, business losses, and emotional and physical hardships. (Here are haunting photos that capture the struggles of the Great Depression.)
Due to this lack of resources, Americans adapted by creating imaginative ways to put food on the table. Basic pantry staples like bread, milk, eggs, and flour were not readily available. Breakfast items that were once standard fare were now unaffordable. The American diet was revamped. More vegetables, and soups were eaten, and inexpensive foods like Wonder Bread, Bisquick, and Cream of Mushroom soup were introduced.
24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of everyday meals of the Great Depression using sources such as the Daily Meal, Eat This, Not That, Hunger to Hope, The Travel, and Historynet. Some peculiar dishes emerged like bacon rolled in stale bread, meatless loaf using peanuts and oatmeal, spaghetti casserole with carrots, and peanut butter stuffed onions. (These are probably not among the 50 signature dishes that define American cuisine.)
