Food

Photo of McCall's Cheese

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

Place: Washington

Apple Crate Label

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 Butler’s Pride apple crate label was used by the Butler Trading Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The paper label on wooden crate side is blue with a colorful image of a red apple hanging from a branch.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Butler Trading Co., Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.009
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.009

Shellfish Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side originally contained shellfish packed and shipped by the Haines Oyster Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained shellfish packed and shipped by the Haines Oyster Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. Founded in 1892, the Haines Oyster Company was one of the oldest wholesale shellfish farmers in the Pacific Northwest.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Haines Oyster Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.306
catalog number
1979.0441.306
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 Eatum brand apple crate label was used by the Albertson Company Inc. of Yakima, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a blue background with an image of two red apples still on the branch in the center. The apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region of Washington that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
S. Albertson Company Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.109
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.109

Grinnell Company Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side was used by the Grinnell Company of the Pacific from Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate lists the company’s address as 3105 Elliott Avenue, Seattle, Washington.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by the Grinnell Company of the Pacific from Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate lists the company’s address as 3105 Elliott Avenue, Seattle, Washington.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Grinnell Corp.
ID Number
1979.0441.206
catalog number
1979.0441.206
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 Nuchief brand apple crate label was in use from 1900-1950.
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 Nuchief brand apple crate label was in use from 1900-1950. Nuchief often used an image of a Native American boy, but at some point began using an image of one yellow and one red apple next to their label insert. This Gold Digger brand insert depicts a man swinging a pickaxe in a stream, panning for gold with a large pine forest behind him. Fruit crate labels often depicted landscapes to evoke the idea of rich, natural produce.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Washington Sales, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.067
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.067

Prunes Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side originally contained Italian Prunes packed by the Fischer Brothers Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained 25 pounds of prunes.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Italian Prunes packed by the Fischer Brothers Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained 25 pounds of prunes.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fischer Brothers Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.256
catalog number
1979.0441.256
accession number
1979.0441

Matches Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side originally contained friction matches manufactured by the Fischer Brothers of Seattle, Washington. The crate side bears a sticker warning to keep fire away from the crate.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained friction matches manufactured by the Fischer Brothers of Seattle, Washington. The crate side bears a sticker warning to keep fire away from the crate.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fischer Bros.
ID Number
1979.0441.304
catalog number
1979.0441.304
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

This Nuchief brand apple crate label was in use from 1900-1950. Nuchief often used an image of a Native American boy, but at some point began using an image of one yellow and one red apple next to their label inserts.
Description (Brief)
This Nuchief brand apple crate label was in use from 1900-1950. Nuchief often used an image of a Native American boy, but at some point began using an image of one yellow and one red apple next to their label inserts. This U-Like-Um insert depicts a Native American riding a horse and shooting an arrow at two deer. Native American imagery was frequently depicted on the crate labels of various fruit distributors to evoke the idea of rich, natural produce.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Washington Sales, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.133
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.133

Apple Crate Label

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 Red Label brand apple crate label was used by the Wenatchee Produce Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has an image of two large red apples in the center, floating over the image of a picturesque valley filled with farmland. The label lists the Wenatchee Produce Company’s location as Wenatchee-Cashmere-Malaga-Entiat-Monitor, all cities from the Wenatchee Valley region that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Wenatchee Produce Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.029
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.029

Apple Crate Label

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 Jim Dandy brand apple crate label was used by the Fruit Sales Company Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington around 1921. The label has a green background and an inset illustration of a crate full of apples, with a label that looks like the label on the actual crate. These apples are from Wenatchee, a region famous for its apple production, which claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fruit Sales Co. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.134
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.134

Apple Crate Label

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 Peter Pan brand apple crate label was used by the Northwest District Fruit Sales Company Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by the Ridgway Lithography Company of Seattle, Washington. The label features an image of Peter Pan wearing a feathered cap while sitting in a tree, with two large red apples in the corner.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fruit Sales Co. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.055
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.055

Apple Crate Label

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 Jay Dee brand apple crate label was used by the J.D.
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 Jay Dee brand apple crate label was used by the J.D. Hamilton Fruit Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed blue and white label has an illustration of two red apples on the branch.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
J. D. Hamilton Fruit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.032
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.032

Cracker Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side was for crackers produced by the Inland Empire Biscuit Company of Spokane, Washington during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was for crackers produced by the Inland Empire Biscuit Company of Spokane, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate side reads “Egg Case/Sodas/ Are Good Crackers” and says that the since the crate is half the side of a regulation egg case “it will be found most convenient for bringing it to your storekeeper refilled with nice fresh eggs.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Inland Empire Biscuit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.371
catalog number
1979.0441.371
accession number
1979.0441

Cranberries Shipping Crate

This shipping crate contained Mist-Kist brand cranberries that were grown and packed by the Grayland Cranberry Growers Association Inc. of Grayland, Washington during the first half of the 20th century. The crate has an illustration of a wooded region by the sea.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate contained Mist-Kist brand cranberries that were grown and packed by the Grayland Cranberry Growers Association Inc. of Grayland, Washington during the first half of the 20th century. The crate has an illustration of a wooded region by the sea. The Grayland coastal region of Washington is well known for its cranberries. This crate contained fancy Washington variety cranberries.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Grayland Cranberry Growers Association
ID Number
1979.0441.281
catalog number
1979.0441.281
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 Plen-T-Ful brand apple crate label was used by Cascadian Fruit Shippers, Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California. The label has a blue background, with an outline of Washington State resting on a pile of red apples. The Wenatchee Valley region of Washington was one of the largest apple producing regions in America, and claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Cascadian Fruit Shippers, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.071
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.071

Apple Crate Label

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 Falls brand apple crate label was used by Chelan Falls Orchards of Chelan Falls, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Lithograph Company Inc. of San Francisco, California. The label has a red background with an image of a golden apple and a red apple in the foreground, with an orchard stretching out in the background with mountains rising up behind the trees. Images of orchards and landscapes were often depicted on crate labels to evoke the idea of fresh, natural produce.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Chelan Falls Orchards
ID Number
1979.0441.105
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.105

Apple Crate Label

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 Cascadian brand apple crate label was used by the Cascadian Fruit Shippers Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a wintery illustration of a river running through a pine forest with a snowy mountain range in the background, and a red apple in the center. Fruit labels often depicted landscapes to evoke a sense of fresh, natural produce.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Cascadian Fruit Shippers, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.053
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.053

Apple Crate Label

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 Sapphire brand apple crate label was used by Standard Fruits 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, and an image of a sapphire ring shining in the lower right of the cover.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Standard Fruits, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.090
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.090

Condensed Milk Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Federal brand condensed milk that was produced by the Mount Vernon Cream Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate bears an image of the can that has a logo of the dome of the Capitol building.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Federal brand condensed milk that was produced by the Mount Vernon Cream Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate bears an image of the can that has a logo of the dome of the Capitol building. The crate contained four dozen cans of condensed milk. Evaporated and condensed milk was very important to nutrition before refrigeration allowed people to keep fresh milk on hand.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Federal Condensed Milk Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.240
catalog number
1979.0441.240
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 Red Z brand apple crate label was used by the C.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 Red Z brand apple crate label was used by the C.M. Holtzinger Fruit Company of Yakima, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California. The label has a red background with a black circle in the middle that has a red Z in the center. Holtzinger also issued a Blue Z brand apple crate label. These apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region, an area that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
C. M. Holtzinger Fruit Co. LLC
ID Number
1979.0441.138
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.138

Evaporated Milk Shipping Crate

This is the side panel of a shipping crate for Darigold Evaporated Milk, the milk brand of the United Dairy Association of Washington.
Description (Brief)
This is the side panel of a shipping crate for Darigold Evaporated Milk, the milk brand of the United Dairy Association of Washington. In 1918, five Washington State dairy co-operatives combined to create the United Dairymen’s Association in an attempt to open new markets for their dairy products. In 1925, there was a contest amongst the co-operatives dairy farmers to name the company’s brand, and Darigold was chosen as the winner.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
United Dairy Association of Washington
ID Number
1979.0441.246
catalog number
1979.0441.246
accession number
1979.0441

Starch Shipping Crate

This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company starch 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 starch 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. Mapleine is still sold today by McCormick, which bought Crescent in 1989.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Crescent Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.252
catalog number
1979.0441.252
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 Hamilton's brand apple crate label was used by the J. D.
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 Hamilton's brand apple crate label was used by the J. D. Hamilton Fruit Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a blue background, with a blue and purple plaid border. The apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region of Washington, an area that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
J. D. Hamilton Fruit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.093
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.093

Apple Crate Label

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 Lane 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 Apple Lane brand apple crate label was used by H. S. Denison and Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by Crocker-Union of San Francisco, California. The label has a blue background, and a thick orange stripe going from the bottom left to top right, with an image of a red apple and a gold apple and several leaves in the upper left. These apples are from Wenatchee, a region well-known for its apple production.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
H. S. Denison & Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.131
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.131

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