The food prices of the great depression in the 1930s were something of a paradox, when you look back and consider how everything was so cheap and yet, at the same time, too expensive for many people living in those times.
Food prices weren’t much of an issue for those who were employed during the Great Depression, as they could afford daily staples and maybe a few extras like a movie or ice cream; but, for the unlucky ones who were unemployed, even basic daily necessities were totally out of reach.
In reality, it was not that food prices were high, but rather that it was the lack or absence of money that kept most of the things that people not only wanted, but needed, within arm’s reach or the other. side of the shop window. .
Imagine not being able to run to the store and grab groceries, clothes and, if you need them, medicine; and then not being able to pay the mortgage or rent, electricity or cooking gas. Could you go without?
Who, in our previous prosperous era, could deal with that kind of inconvenience, when we are used to turning on the light switch in the morning and turning on the automatic coffee machine to dilute some of those twelve dollars? -a pound of ground coffee we bought at the specialty coffee bean-after enjoying a large six dollar mocha with friends.
There was no such thing for families during the great depression, in their poor circumstances. Imagine buying a simple cup of coffee with cream and sugar (if you can get one today) for five cents; a breakfast of two eggs, bacon and toast with a slice of cake and a cup of coffee, for 25 cents; or a candy bar for ten cents.
Doesn’t seem like much, except those who were employed might have been earning only $2 or $3 a day, but when you don’t have those few small coins, great depression food prices seemed pretty high! For those who had money, life was certainly more comfortable considering the times, but for those who had to scrimp and scrape to put food on the table, their days were filled with worry and struggle.
Many mothers often ran out of food, so their children had more to eat. She didn’t foolishly spend her pennies, if she had any, but used them for things that were vital to her family’s survival. She would account for every penny.
With money during the Great Depression being so tight, families often ran out of what little they might have acquired, from some sort of job, or, perhaps, from pawning something of sentimental value.
And to make matters worse, the lives of families were often drastically compromised or challenged as men left for other parts of the country in search of employment. Some men never returned, but instead turned to illegal activities in hopes of profit, or to alcohol, only making their own and their family’s problems worse. Some even think about suicide.
In any case, most people had nowhere to turn, since borrowing from their neighbors or relatives would cause them more trouble. Local stores might have extended credit to certain people, but they were rarely allowed to pay, as some people were still paying outstanding bills, long after the war, which followed the Great Depression, was over.
Money, or the lack of it, was the main thing that dominated millions of lives for many years during the first part of this century. And, it is no different today. Money, for many people, in one way or another, continues to rule.
Hard times are coming again for those who don’t think so, like many people around the world, are already experiencing our economy in a tailspin. I’m sure you notice the current rise in food prices (or, more realistically, the decline in the value of the dollar), as a half-empty grocery bag costs a lot more today than it did not long ago.
Goal, hey! There is hope, and for those who are in the know, there is no need to be shocked and desperate by these difficult times ahead. We can take precautions, plan and prepare for our current and future lifestyle management, staying ahead of the game.
We can learn more about food prices during the great depression and valuable ways we can prepare ourselves and our families, because it will probably, one way or another, depending on our circumstances, be much more like or worse than The Great Depression. Depression of the 30’s.
