Ep 3. The Spoils of War

In season 1 episode 3 of The Food That Built America titled "The Spoils of War," the show explores the impact of World War II on the food industry. With the outbreak of the war, the government turned to the food industry to help feed the troops and the nation. The industry responded by creating new products, improving methods of production, and adapting to changing tastes and needs.

The episode highlights several individuals who played an instrumental role during this time, including Clarence Saunders, founder of Piggly Wiggly, who served on the War Production Board and helped ensure the food industry produced enough goods for the war effort. Other figures include Ray Kroc, who worked for the military creating milkshakes for soldiers, sparking his interest in the fast food industry, and Colonel Harland Sanders, who developed his chicken recipe while serving in the army and later used it to build his restaurant franchise.

The show also explores the introduction of instant, dehydrated foods like powdered eggs and milk, which were essential for feeding troops overseas and provided a new form of convenience for American households. Additionally, the episode delves into the creation of the iconic M&Ms candy, which was developed for troops to keep chocolates from melting during combat.

Overall, "The Spoils of War" showcases the ingenuity and resilience of the food industry during a time of great upheaval and change, and how it ultimately helped shape the way Americans eat and consume food today.