Britain since 1948
Most people today have more money to spend than people did before the war, so can afford to buy modern inventions. Many people have migrated to Britain, and British people go on holidays abroad. These changes have affected the type of food we eat and the way we shop for it.
What has been the biggest change?
The introduction of self-service shopping to Britain in the 1950s completely changed both shops and shopping. Before, customers had to wait at a counter to be served by a salesperson. Self-service shops needed to be bigger than traditional shops. There were more jobs for women, such as checkout operators. Goods needed to be packaged to prevent them from being handled by lots of customers.
Why has the food we eat changed?
During and after the war, many people from other parts of Europe came to live in Britain. More shops therefore started to sell continental food. Since then, many people from other parts of the world have also migrated to Britain and package holidays have become much cheaper. As a result, shops now stock food from all round the world. Because many women work outside the home, and more people live on their own, convenience foods are popular.
How have new inventions changed what we eat and how we shop?
Today, most households own a fridge and often a freezer too. Many people also own a car. This means we can shop less often for food and buy in bigger quantities from supermarkets on the edge of town centres. Most ready-meals can be cooked in microwave ovens. Aeroplanes fly fresh produce to Britain from around the world, whilst television programmes and advertising encourage us to try new foods and recipes.
What changes are happening today?
Today we know we should eat a balanced diet. This means that shops are offering healthier choices. Many people are also concerned about the environment. They want shops and manufacturers to reduce packaging and ensure that more of it can be recycled or reused. Some people prefer to buy food that has been produced locally and to shop at farmers’ markets.
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