Thinking about cold drinks that I sipped or gulp down as a child brings to remembrance KOOL-AID!
The selection of flavors was fun to choose and at present date the selection keeps growing.
I thought it inspiring how this drink grew to popularity.
Mail order businesses are popular even today, but back in 1920 Edwin and Kitty Perkins ran one in Hastings, Nebraska. Mail order was a popular way for isolated rural families to find modern goods.
"FRUIT SMACK" drink syrup sold and shipped 4 oz. glass bottles by mail. Often the heavy bottles broke or leaked.
In 1927 Perkins borrowed an idea from Jell-O Brand gelatin. He changed the "FRUIT SMACK" liquid into a concentrated powder and packaged in small neat envelopes called KOOL-ADE.
It sold well and was renamed Kool-Aid. Produced and sold for 10 cents a package.
Perkins cut price in half and children in small towns set up Kool-Aid Stands.
In 1931 Perkins moved operations to Chicago where better rail connections were. When sugar rationing ended DEMANDS sky rocketed. Factory expansions by 1950. 300 workers produced nearly a million packets of KOOL-AID each day.
In 1953 Perkins sold his business to General Foods and then KRAFT FOODS acquired General Foods.
Hastings, Nebraska has a museum with extensive Kool-Aid collection and Exhibit.
America has seen hard times before. Our over all history tells of many times it wasn't an easy go living in the States. I haven't lived during a time where there was sugar rationing....could it happen again? I suppose it could. Other products might be difficult to get our hands on. But what's that saying that BLANK is the mother of invention? Necessity is the mother of invention. Amen and a few other things as well.
During the DEPRESSION many new foods were invented or introduced. Still on the market.
Spam
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
Toll House Chocolate Chips for Cookies
Good Humor Ice Cream Bars
Bisquick
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Ritz Crackers
and Kool-Aid
ALL TOGETHER NOW.....
Comfort food has it's place in the world and in my HOME.
~Deanna~
