The Vietnam War wasn't just one of the most divisive events in American history. It also made pork chops more expensive! The reason why will boggle you.
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00:00The Vietnam War wasn't just one of the most divisive events in American history, it also
00:04made pork chops more expensive. The reason why will boggle you.
00:09Farming practices and setbacks significantly impacted grocery store prices between 1964
00:14and 1965. Prices rose thanks to the lower availability of some staples, especially produce.
00:20The Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965 devastated some farming areas in the Midwest, leading
00:26to decreased crop yields. In particular, potato lovers saw a staggering price hike in their
00:30favorite starch with a 10-pound bag rising to an average of 93 cents, over 20 cents more
00:35expensive than five years prior.
00:38Thanks to reduced livestock production, meat prices also rose. Beef, pork, and veal saw
00:42the largest increases, especially when pork shortages led to a greater demand for beef.
00:47Lyndon B. Johnson's so-called War on Poverty aimed to provide relief for those struggling
00:52financially, but increased U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War still had a negative impact
00:57on grocery bills. Families found themselves paying more for everyday staples, including
01:01meat and dairy.
01:02Additionally, the military draft drained a percentage of the rural labor force, leading
01:06to widespread farming changes. Meat prices were high in 1966, with ground beef costing
01:1249 cents per pound and pork chops coming in at 89 cents per pound.
01:16Rising costs in this period led to a food crisis for many, particularly for lower-income
01:21people and families. In 1968, CBS aired a stunning documentary called Hunger in America,
01:26highlighting widespread poverty and food insecurity across the U.S. Viewers at the time were shocked
01:32to learn the scope of food insecurity right here in America.
01:3510 million Americans don't know where their next meal is coming from. Sometimes, it doesn't
01:41come at all.
01:43Prices usually stabilize or even drop during a recession as demand decreases, but that
01:47wasn't the case with the economic recession of 1969 to 1970. Unfortunately, high inflation
01:52and the domestic consequences of the Vietnam War continue to plague grocery shoppers. In
01:581969, coffee cost as much as $1.19 for a three-pound canister, and a loaf of bread was 29 cents.
02:04By 1970, even prices on ground beef had risen to 59 cents per pound.
02:08However, a growing food trend helped some shoppers make their grocery bills more affordable.
02:13After the mainstream expansion of frozen food lines in the mid-1960s, consumers began trading
02:17freshness for convenience more than ever before. By offering frozen options, companies such
02:22as Green Giant and Birdseye made it easier for shoppers to afford products such as vegetables
02:26and pre-made meals.
02:29After the short-term recession of 1969 to 1970 failed to provide lasting relief for
02:34American consumers, the Nixon administration took more drastic action in 1971. First, Nixon
02:39imposed a temporary wage price freeze, which created a brief measure of stability. The
02:44goal of the policy was to curtail the increasing gap between wages and cost of living. However,
02:49the price freeze only lasted until Nixon secured re-election in 1972.
02:54By then, even the most essential items had already fallen victim to significant price
02:58hikes compared to the 1960s, and those prices rose even higher in 1972. For example, the
03:03cost of butter was over 86 cents on average, up 11 cents from its 1965 price. A carton
03:08of eggs, another popular product in the dairy section, cost around 61 cents. Meat products
03:13also broke the bank for many shoppers, including pork chops, which rose to $1.16 per pound.
03:19"...Pork chops, huh? What else? Apple sauce? Pork chops and apple sauce."
03:28Various economic factors contribute to inflation, but the period from 1972 to 1973 was a special
03:34case. According to The New York Times, a phenomenon known as commodity inflation, which primarily
03:38impacts raw materials, spurred widespread food price increases. After food price inflation
03:43reached a staggering 20 percent, many consumers began protesting at local supermarkets. Although
03:49Nixon reinstated some price control measures, it did little to slow the ever-climbing cost
03:53of feeding a family. For example, a loaf of bread went from around 22 cents in 1973 to
03:5836 cents in 1974. And bread wasn't the only popular item to experience such a large price
04:04hike. In mid-July of 1973, The New York Times reported that a dozen eggs cost 83 cents,
04:10and an egg shortage would drive prices even higher. Furthermore, staples such as corn
04:14doubled in price between 1972 and 1974.
04:18As if the average American grocery shoppers weren't already having a hard enough time
04:22in 1974, the Great Inflation of 1975 to 1977 made it even more difficult to stretch a dollar.
04:28In mid-1975, The New York Times reported that the cost to feed an average American family
04:32was at an all-time high partially because of skyrocketing beef costs. Ground beef cost
04:3768 cents per pound at the beginning of 1975 and continued to climb. Inflation temporarily
04:42slowed in 1976, but rose again starting in 1977. An article in The Washington Post pointed
04:48to increased farm prices as a significant factor in retail food costs. The report indicates
04:53that staples such as coffee, cereal, and pork all experienced price increases. Across the
04:58board, consumers were experiencing rising grocery bills at a rate never before seen.
05:03Unfortunately, weather can sometimes significantly affect the price of popular grocery items
05:07as well. In 1978, The New York Times reported that Los Angeles experienced 26 inches of
05:12rainfall in a single day — the highest ever amount by that point in the 20th century.
05:17Around the state, similar record rainfall totals led to widespread crop loss. In Northern
05:22California, a Humboldt County Agricultural Report showed reduced crop yields on staples
05:26such as tomatoes, potatoes, and corn. In other parts of the country, winter blizzards
05:30delayed the transportation of goods to local grocery stores, which caused price hikes in
05:34those areas. Meat and poultry prices weren't immune to increases either. According to The
05:39Washington Post, a beef shortage drove prices up 14 percent in the first half of 1978.
05:45Healthy living became a bigger focus in the 1980s, including changes to the typical American
05:49diet. Many consumers began moving away from a traditional meat-heavy diet in favor of
05:54more balanced options. In 1980, the American Dietetic Association published its first-ever
05:59paper about the potential benefits of a vegetarian diet. The 1980 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
06:05also advised eating a varied diet for optimal health, including more fruit and vegetables.
06:10Across the decade, red meat consumption dropped by 10 percent due to this change in dietary
06:14choices, which had a positive impact on prices. In a KMOV News segment from June of 1980,
06:20a reporter found pork steaks discounted to just 68 cents a pound, and ground beef was
06:25stable at $1.38 a pound — one cent less expensive than at the beginning of 1979.
06:31"'Produce prices are up slightly. Staples remain the same. But big savings this month
06:37in the meat and poultry department.'"
06:39For those in charge of buying their household's groceries, 1981 to 1983 was a great time.
06:44Food costs finally stabilized after the extreme inflation of the 1970s, and some everyday
06:49staples began to go down in price. Meat and pork prices varied widely across 1981, but
06:55the fluctuations were still less drastic than in the previous decade. Ultimately, beef and
06:59poultry surpluses led to grocery stores slashing prices, with ground beef selling for an average
07:04of $1.50 per pound.
07:07Food prices remained relatively predictable for the next few years, which meant more straightforward
07:11consumer budgeting. In 1983, UPI reported that decreased inflation and increased food
07:16availability contributed to lower price hikes than in the last 10 years. For example, a
07:21dozen eggs only cost 67 cents in 1983, almost 20 cents less than in 1979. Meanwhile, a gallon
07:28of milk rose to $2.24 in 1982, but that price remained steady through 1983.
07:35In the summer of 1983, The New York Times reported that a widespread drought in the
07:38Corn Belt would negatively impact the year's corn crop. But while corn and other produce
07:43prices initially went up due to the drought, UPI reported that the corn crop of 1984 was
07:48ultimately among the largest in history. This rebound led to lower retail prices for consumers
07:53for the year's second half and represented a quick recovery from a would-be disaster.
07:57However, shoppers saw the price for another popular grocery item trend in the opposite
08:01direction this year. UPI said several factors, including an avian flu outbreak and problematic
08:07winter temperatures, reduced the nation's egg supply. This led to a massive increase
08:11in the price of eggs. Over the course of one year, average prices rose from 63 cents
08:16a dozen up to $1.15, with some parts of the country seeing prices as high as $1.59 or
08:22more.
08:23In 1985, a report from The New York Times indicated that farm surpluses were likely
08:27to result in the lowest food price increases since the 1960s. However, although 1985 lived
08:33up to its promise with some of the best prices of the decade, the next two years saw costs
08:37rise again. A 1987 food cost review explained that higher cattle values led to a rise in
08:43beef prices, which significantly impacted overall grocery bills for consumers. However,
08:48produce played an even more prominent role in how much Americans paid for their groceries
08:51in this period. The review highlighted a 12 percent cost increase in fresh produce, which
08:56impacted everything from apples to tomatoes. For instance, a pound of white potatoes rose
09:01from 21 cents in 1985 to 28 cents in 1987. Meanwhile, lettuce prices climbed from only
09:0854 cents per pound in 1985 to 63 cents per pound two years later.
09:13Droughts can be the most catastrophic of all the weather events that impact the world's
09:16food supply, and the 1988 to 1990 North American drought posed a significant crop threat that
09:22led to higher grocery prices. According to the Monthly Labor Review from May of 1989,
09:27the drought impacted the U.S. supply of staples such as soybeans, wheat, and dairy products.
09:32Thanks to these shortages and the effects of inflation, 1988 saw the most substantial
09:37price increases since 1984. Unfortunately, 1989 featured even more pronounced changes
09:42in the cost of popular products. A Los Angeles Times report explained that the drought contributed
09:47to higher feed costs for cattle, which led some farmers to reduce their herds, causing
09:51milk prices to jump by 9 percent.
09:53Grocery prices continued to reflect the effects of the drought in 1990, with ground beef topping
09:58out at $1.59 per pound and a dozen eggs rising back up to $1.01.
10:04The economic downturn of 1991 to 1994 did what the recession of 1969 couldn't. It made
10:10food cheaper. Consumers enjoyed lower grocery bills across the board, and some products
10:14became more affordable than in previous years. A USDA review of food costs in 1991 showed
10:20farmer surpluses leading to a drop in prices for poultry, eggs, and dairy products compared
10:24to 1990 prices. Now, shoppers could buy a dozen eggs for 99 cents, and a half-gallon
10:30of milk was $1.37.
10:33Across the next few years, prices continued to stabilize or decrease across multiple categories.
10:37For instance, in 1992, Deseret News reported that ground beef cost $1.27 per pound compared
10:43to $1.37 per pound in 1981. Although prices rose slightly in 1994, this period was one
10:50of the most peaceful times for grocery shoppers in almost a decade.
10:55Grains are at the heart of many grocery store products, including cereal, bread, and other
10:58bakery items. However, the influence of grain on the overall food supply goes far beyond
11:03these popular products. Beef, poultry, and pork prices are also greatly impacted by grain
11:09since it serves as a primary food source for livestock. And in 1995 to 1996, a drought
11:14in the Midwest disrupted the country's grain supplies and led to skyrocketing feed costs
11:19for farmers.
11:20Unfortunately, the cascade of consequences for lower grain supplies didn't stop there.
11:25The Monthly Labor Review for April 1997 notes that many farmers had to slaughter more livestock
11:29than usual in 1996. This change impacted the availability of milk and other dairy products,
11:35leading to higher grocery costs for consumers. For example, a dozen eggs cost $1.19 in 1995
11:41but rose to $1.31 by 1996 — one of the highest prices of the decade.
11:47In 1997, meat-eaters faced one of the biggest scares in modern U.S. food history. That summer,
11:52CNN reported that a Hudson Foods meatpacking plant in Nebraska voluntarily recalled all
11:56of its beef products due to safety concerns. This recall resulted from an E. coli outbreak
12:01linked to contaminated meat from the plant.
12:05According to The Washington Post, the recall impacted 25 million pounds of beef and led
12:08to indictments from the federal government. Surprisingly, the shortages caused by this
12:12recall had minimal impact on beef prices because the demand for beef also decreased due to
12:17consumer fears. A USDA food cost review explained that beef prices remained stable throughout
12:22the year, with minimal change since 1996. However, prices of pork and chicken rose in
12:28response to increased demand for these products.
12:31The period between 1998 and 2000 was a great time to be a vegetarian. In 1999, supermarket
12:37news reported a 3.4 percent price reduction for fresh vegetables from the previous year,
12:42and some fresh fruit prices experienced equally promising decreases. For instance, Red Delicious
12:46apples were 94 cents per pound in 1998 but cost only 90 cents per pound in 1999. Even
12:52meat and dairy products, often plagued with price increases, were more reliably affordable
12:56during this time. For example, although the price of milk experienced a brief price spike,
13:01climbing to $2.84 in 1999, it dropped to $2.78 in 2000.
13:08In 2001, the September 11th attacks disrupted the U.S. agricultural sector and increased
13:12awareness of the vulnerability of the food supply. In addition, a Congressional Research
13:16Service report indicates that the nation experienced some food product loss due to import delays
13:21from Canada and Mexico. This short-term setback disturbed the flow of goods at the borders
13:26but didn't necessarily impact food prices. Surprisingly, the cost of most grocery staples
13:30decreased in 2001 despite this tragedy, due to worldwide surpluses of many of those items.
13:35The Guardian reported that a pound of coffee fell from $1.26 to just under 60 cents, while
13:41crops such as tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce, and grapes also experienced reduced prices.
13:47Of all the grocery products that U.S. shoppers commonly buy, the cost of a dozen eggs has
13:50experienced some of the most considerable price fluctuations over time. Although UPI
13:56reported that grocery store prices decreased on many staples in 2002, eggs bucked the
14:00trend by becoming significantly more expensive by 2003 due to supply shortages. However,
14:06eggs were just one product that experienced a price increase. A monthly labor review revealed
14:10that fresh vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, and bell peppers became more expensive in
14:142003 due to unexpected weather conditions in the spring. Furthermore, UPI explained
14:19that potatoes went up to $2.63 for a five-pound bag in 2002, up 41 cents from the previous
14:25year. Still, American consumers enjoyed lower prices overall thanks to the rise of warehouse-style
14:30supermarkets and other discount retailers in 2003.
14:34During the 2003 holiday season, the CDC made a discovery that would launch a global health
14:39scare. When a lone Washington cow was diagnosed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or
14:44BSE, the diagnosis led to beef recalls and changes to testing requirements for this disorder,
14:49more widely known as mad cow disease, in sensationalized news reports.
14:53Nearly every publication in the U.S. covered the story, provoking fear in shoppers around
14:57the nation. When news of the diseased cow reached the international stage, other countries
15:01began restricting imports of U.S. beef.
15:03Shortly after the news of mad cow disease in Washington state broke out, Japan, one
15:08of the largest buyers of U.S. beef, banned imports of it.
15:12Reuters notes that these bans resulted in $11 billion worth of lost profit between 2004
15:17to 2007. Furthermore, shortages caused by the recall resulted in high grocery store
15:22prices for stateside consumers. Before the 2003 incident, beef prices reached an average
15:26of $3.75 per pound, already higher than typical. However, in 2004, that same pound of beef
15:32cost $4.07.
15:35Hurricane Katrina caused widespread destruction in 2005, which included damage to farms and
15:40growing fields in the southeastern U.S. According to Just Food, the storm's estimated impact
15:45on the agricultural industry exceeded $2 billion because of challenges with crop loss and increased
15:50transportation costs. The damage caused by the storm made it more difficult to both
15:54import and export many of the grocery staples that are popular among U.S. consumers.
15:59Although the prices of many food products remained stable in the immediate aftermath
16:03of the storm, shoppers paid more for some items in the following year. For example,
16:07the price of bananas, rice, and sugar in particular rose in response to crop destruction and stalled
16:12imports.
16:14When it comes to transporting food from farms and supplies to local stores, fuel prices
16:18often have a direct correlation with grocery prices. Between 2007 and 2009, a surge in
16:23fuel prices partially contributed to crisis-level food cost increases. For example, flour prices
16:28increased by 69 cents in 2008, rising to $2.39 for a five-pound bag. Furthermore, CNN reported
16:35that milk prices rose by a staggering 23 percent over the course of 2007.
16:40In addition to fuel prices, a report from the U.S. Department of State revealed that
16:43export restrictions and panic buying during the Great Recession contributed to the rising
16:48cost of groceries. However, 2009 brought better news for consumers with lower prices reported
16:53for wheat, corn, and other staples as the recession reduced demand for consumer goods
16:57across the board, which also helped slightly drive down costs. Unfortunately, this price
17:02relief was short-lived for grocery store shoppers.
17:05After a short period of stability, food prices soared in 2010. According to The New York
17:10Times, the price increases that plagued the U.S. and most of the world stemmed from an
17:14overabundance of printed money. The Guardian reported a 30 percent spike in worldwide wheat
17:18and corn prices in late 2010, and predicted an international food crisis. Unfortunately,
17:24they were right.
17:25Between 2010 and 2011, the price of a bushel of corn rose from $3.66 to $4.94, the largest
17:31increase in the 21st century. The price climbed even higher in 2012, as the crisis continued,
17:37reaching $6.07. In January 2011, an FP article labeled this intense surge in food prices
17:43the Great Food Crisis, and described the multiple factors involved in ever-increasing world
17:48grocery prices — population growth, climate concerns, and the use of grain to create fuel.
17:53Unfortunately, grocery shoppers were in for more hardships in 2012. Euronews reported
17:58that a drought in the Midwestern U.S. drove domestic and international food prices even
18:02higher.
18:03News about extreme hot and dry weather in the U.S. Midwest sent May's to a record high
18:08last month, up almost 23 percent from June.