Remember walking down those squeaky-floored supermarket aisles in the ’60s and ’70s, when every shelf seemed to hold a treasure we can’t find anymore? Those weekly shopping trips with Mom weren’t just errands – they were adventures filled with beloved brands that have since disappeared from our lives. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some grocery store favorites that might just bring back a flood of wonderful memories.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Howard Johnson’s Frozen Foods
- 2 2. Jane Parker Baked Goods
- 3 3. Morton House Frozen Dinners
- 4 4. Funny Face Drinks
- 5 5. Foremost Dairy Products
- 6 6. Royal Castle Hamburgers
- 7 7. Doxsee Clam Products
- 8 8. Bond Bread
- 9 9. Maypo Hot Cereal
- 10 10. Red Diamond Coffee
- 11 11. Appian Way Pizza Mix
- 12 12. Py-O-My Baking Mixes
- 13 13. S&W Fine Foods
- 14 14. Contadina Ready Dinners
1. Howard Johnson’s Frozen Foods
Long before HoJo’s restaurants disappeared, their frozen food line was a staple in supermarket freezers. Their macaroni and cheese and fried clam strips brought restaurant quality right to our dinner tables. The distinctive orange packaging with that familiar turquoise logo was impossible to miss, and for many families in the 1960s and early ’70s, these convenience foods were a special weeknight treat.
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2. Jane Parker Baked Goods
A&P’s house brand of baked goods was legendary, especially their fruit cakes and Spanish Bar Cake. The aroma of fresh-baked bread and sweet treats would waft through the store, drawing customers to the bakery section. While A&P supermarkets are gone, many still remember the quality and value of Jane Parker products that graced our tables from the 1950s through the 1970s.
3. Morton House Frozen Dinners
Before Swanson dominated the TV dinner market, Morton House was a major player in the frozen food aisle. Their beef pot pies and chicken dinners were a working mom’s secret weapon in the 1960s. The distinctive yellow packaging promised home-style cooking without the fuss, though we all knew nothing could beat Mom’s home cooking.
4. Funny Face Drinks
Pillsbury’s answer to Kool-Aid, these drink mixes featured characters like Goofy Grape and Loud-Mouth Lime. Introduced in 1964, these powdered beverages captured kids’ imaginations with their colorful mascots and silly names. The original artificial sweetener caused controversy, leading to a reformulation, but the brand remained a favorite throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.
5. Foremost Dairy Products
A major dairy brand throughout the mid-20th century, Foremost was known for their rich ice cream and fresh milk products. Their distinctive red and white cartons were a common sight in refrigerators across America. The company’s door-to-door delivery service made them a household name before supermarket shopping became the norm.
6. Royal Castle Hamburgers
Before disappearing from freezer cases, Royal Castle’s frozen hamburgers brought their restaurant taste home. Popular in the Southeast during the 1960s, these sliders were known for their distinctive seasoning and soft buns. The company’s frozen line helped busy families recreate their favorite drive-in experience at home.
7. Doxsee Clam Products
A staple in the canned goods aisle, Doxsee was famous for their clam chowder and minced clams. Founded in 1865, the brand was a trusted name in seafood products throughout the mid-20th century. Their Manhattan-style clam chowder was particularly popular in East Coast households.
8. Bond Bread
This beloved bread brand was known for its perfectly sliced white bread and dinner rolls. The company’s delivery trucks were a common sight in neighborhoods across America, and their products were a sandwich staple. Their advertising jingle “Bond Makes Good Bread Better” was known by heart by countless Americans.
9. Maypo Hot Cereal
This maple-flavored oatmeal was made famous by the “I Want My Maypo!” television commercials of the 1950s and ’60s. The hot cereal was a breakfast favorite, especially during cold winter months. While the brand still exists in limited distribution, it’s no longer the household name it once was.
10. Red Diamond Coffee
A Southern favorite, Red Diamond was known for their distinctive red packaging and rich coffee flavor. Their vacuum-packed tins were a common sight in grocery stores throughout the mid-20th century. While the brand still exists regionally, it’s no longer the national presence it once was in American supermarkets.
11. Appian Way Pizza Mix
Before DiGiorno and frozen pizzas dominated the market, Appian Way’s pizza mix was how many Americans made pizza at home. The box contained everything needed – crust mix, sauce, and cheese – making it a Friday night favorite in the 1960s. For many families, this was their first introduction to making “homemade” pizza.
12. Py-O-My Baking Mixes
These colorful boxes of cake and frosting mixes were a staple in the baking aisle during the 1950s and ’60s. Known for their unique name and reliable results, Py-O-My offered everything from brownies to buttercream frosting. The brand was particularly popular for its affordable prices during the post-war years.
13. S&W Fine Foods
Once a premium brand of canned fruits and vegetables, S&W was known for its quality and distinctive black and gold labels. Their canned pineapple and asparagus were particularly prized by home cooks. While still available in some regions, the brand’s nationwide presence has diminished significantly since its heyday.
14. Contadina Ready Dinners
Before focusing solely on tomato products, Contadina offered a line of prepared Italian meals in the 1960s and early 1970s. Their pizza mix and spaghetti dinners were popular alternatives to eating out. The distinctive green packaging and Italian chef logo were familiar sights in grocery stores across America.
