Food

Part of a nation's history lies in what people eat. Artifacts at the Museum document the history of food in the United States from farm machinery to diet fads.

More than 1,300 pieces of stoneware and earthenware show how Americans have stored, prepared, and served food for centuries. Ovens, cookie cutters, kettles, aprons, and ice-cream-making machines are part of the collections, along with home canning jars and winemaking equipment. More than 1,000 objects recently came to the Museum when author and cooking show host Julia Child donated her entire kitchen, from appliances to cookbooks.

Advertising and business records of several food companies—such as Hills Brothers Coffee, Pepsi Cola, and Campbell's Soup—represent the commercial side of the subject

This Chere Best brand apple crate label was used by the Columbia Fruit Packers Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California.
Description (Brief)
This Chere Best brand apple crate label was used by the Columbia Fruit Packers Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California. These apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region of Washington, which is colloquially known as the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Columbia Fruit Packers, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.112
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.112
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.This Rose brand apple crate label was used by J.M.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Rose brand apple crate label was used by J.M. Wade of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. This label was lithographed by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has a blue background with an illustration of two large red roses in the center. These apples came from Wenatchee, part of a region that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
J. M. Wade
ID Number
1979.0441.126
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.126
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1925 - 1940
maker
Stieff Company
ID Number
2002.0021.01
accession number
2002.0021
catalog number
2002.0021.01
This shipping crate side was used by Ferg’s brand chili con carne and packed by the Ferguson Canning Company of Snohomish, Washington in the early 20th century. The crate contained 48 11 ounce tins.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by Ferg’s brand chili con carne and packed by the Ferguson Canning Company of Snohomish, Washington in the early 20th century. The crate contained 48 11 ounce tins.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Ferguson Canning Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.165
catalog number
1979.0441.165
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Good Pickens brand apple crate label was used by the Cashmere Fruit Exchange of Cashmere, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by Louis Roesch Company Lithography of San Francisco, California. The label has an illustration of a smiling young boy holding a half-eaten apple. Fruit labels often would depict images of healthy young children to promote the health benefits of apples.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Cashmere Fruit Exchange
ID Number
1979.0441.082
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.082
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Enpee brand apple crate label was used by the North Pacific Sales Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a blue background with the letters “N.P.” in the center, filled with triangles of a variety of colors.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
North Pacific Sales Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.124
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.124
This shipping crate side originally contained Reliance brand prunes from Santa Clara, California during the early part of the 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Reliance brand prunes from Santa Clara, California during the early part of the 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
National Grocery Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.336
catalog number
1979.0441.336
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.This Dainty Maid brand apple crate label was used by H.S.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Dainty Maid brand apple crate label was used by H.S. Denison & Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a red background and a central illustration of a pretty young girl with ruddy cheeks. Fruit labels often used depict images of healthy young children to promote the health benefits of apples.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
H. S. Denison & Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.061
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.061
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.This Kile brand apple crate label was in use by the W.B.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Kile brand apple crate label was in use by the W.B. Kile Company of Yakima, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a blue background with an illustration of two red apples on a branch, with the brand KILE above it in large letters. Yakima was part of the Wenatchee Valley apple producing region, which claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
W. B. Kile Company
ID Number
1979.0441.022
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.022
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Luxor brand apple crate label was used by the Fruit Growers Service Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has a blue background with a blue and yellow geometric stripe across the middle with a large red cross in the center.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fruit Growers Service Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.114
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.114
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.This Harvest Time brand apple crate label was used by the C. F.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Harvest Time brand apple crate label was used by the C. F. Schaefer Company Packers and Distributors of Yakima, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has an illustration of a large orchard by a lake, and a mountain in the background obscuring a rising yellow sun, with a large red apple in the foreground. Fruit crate labels often depicted landscapes like this to evoke the idea of rich, natural produce.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
C. F. Schaefer Company
ID Number
1979.0441.066
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.066
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Clipper Ship brand apple crate label was used by the Wells and Wade Fruit Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a red background with an illustration of the clipper ship Erskine M. Phelps sailing over a dark blue ocean.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Wells and Wade Fruit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.075
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.075
This shipping crate side contained red delicious apples grown and packed by Tiger Mountain Orchards of Tiger, Georgia during the early 20th century. The crate side features an illustration of an orchard in front of a mountain.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained red delicious apples grown and packed by Tiger Mountain Orchards of Tiger, Georgia during the early 20th century. The crate side features an illustration of an orchard in front of a mountain.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
National Grocery Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.187
catalog number
1979.0441.187
accession number
1979.0441
This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company Household Ammonia shipping crate is imprinted with the company’s crescent moon trademark. The company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as a supplier of vanilla extract to the Pacific Northwest.
Description (Brief)
This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company Household Ammonia shipping crate is imprinted with the company’s crescent moon trademark. The company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as a supplier of vanilla extract to the Pacific Northwest. Later becoming Crescent Foods Inc., the company made its mark on the consumer landscape in 1905 with its Mapleine imitation maple flavoring which is still sold today by McCormick, which bought Crescent in 1989.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Crescent Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.166
catalog number
1979.0441.166
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This North Country brand apple crate label was used by Stadelman Fruit, Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a red background with yellow text, and an illustration of three apples on the right hand side.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Stadelman Fruit, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.040
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.040
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Blue T brand apple crate label was used by the Northern Fruit Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label had a blue background with three dimensional block lettering. Wenatchee, Washington was well known for its apple production, and claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Northern Fruit Co. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.085
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.085
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.This Sails brand apple crate label was used by Fruit Sales, Inc.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Sails brand apple crate label was used by Fruit Sales, Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has a blue background, with the illustration of a small sailboat in a choppy blue sea. Wenatchee, Washington was one of the largest apple producing regions in the United States, an area that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fruit Sales, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.097
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.097
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Hi Buy All brand apple crate label was used by the Butler trading Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by the Spokane Lithography Company of Spokane, Washington. The blue label features an illustration of two red apples on the branch in the center, promoting the idea of fresh and tasty produce inside.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Butler Trading Co., Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.046
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.046
This shipping crate contained Sound brand seeded raisins that was used by the Tacoma Grocery Company of Tacoma, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained 45 cartons of raisins.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate contained Sound brand seeded raisins that was used by the Tacoma Grocery Company of Tacoma, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained 45 cartons of raisins.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Tacoma Groc. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.153
catalog number
1979.0441.153
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Sno-Gem brand apple crate label was used by the Cederwall Sales Company, of Dryden, Washington during the early 20th century. The label has a blue background with three-dimensional standing text that reads “Sno-Gem,” with snow resting on top of the letters. These apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region of Washington, which claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Cederwall Sales Company
ID Number
1979.0441.116
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.116
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Silver Spur brand apple crate label was in use by the Joseph Northwest Company of Yakima-Wenatchee, Washington. The label has a red background with a yellow rim and a central logo that reads “Silver Spur” written in a type that looks like rope over an image of a silver spur. The Yakima-Wenatchee region of Washington was well known for its apple production during this time and called itself the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Joseph Northwest
ID Number
1979.0441.051
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.051
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This apple crate label was used by Spark’s Orchards during the beginning of the 20th century. Spark’s Orchards was based in Wenatchee, Washington, a region that was well known for its apple production, especially in the early 1900s.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Sparks Orchards
ID Number
1979.0441.010
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.010
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.This Renn brand apple crate label was used by the F.O.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Renn brand apple crate label was used by the F.O. Renn Company of Chelan Falls, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by the Traung Label Company of Seattle, Washington. The red label has an white circular inset with the image of a small chirping bird sitting on a branch. These wildlife scenes were often used to evoke a sense of rich, natural produce in the buyer.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
F. O. Renn Fruit Company
ID Number
1979.0441.045
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.045
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.This Jim Wade brand apple crate label was used by the J.M.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Jim Wade brand apple crate label was used by the J.M. Wade Packer and Shipper of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California. The label has a black background with a red stripe down the center. These apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region of Washington, which claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
J. M. Wade
ID Number
1979.0441.117
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.117

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.