A Bygone Era
If you grew up in the 1970s, grocery shopping looked - and cost - a whole lot different than it does today. A trip to the store meant aisles lined with colorful boxes and delicious snacks that set you back only a dime. Let’s visit that vanished world and look at what people were buying for cheap in the ‘70s.
Wonder Bread
In the ’70s, a loaf of Wonder Bread cost 30 cents or less, making it a very popular choice. Kids grew up on sandwiches stacked with peanut butter and jelly on those fluffy white slices. True, it wasn’t good for you, but no-one really cared back then.
Spam
Cans of Spam were still dirt cheap in the ’70s, often under 70 cents, and a single can could feed the whole family. While it had a love-it-or-hate-it reputation, it was known to be reliable above all, and almost every family kept a few cans around for emergencies.
Tang
The orange-flavored powder that astronauts supposedly drank on space missions was a hit in the ’70s. Tang was affordable, easy to store, and made kids feel like maybe they could go to space one day too. It’s a real shame it faded away.
Kool-Aid Packets
Kool-Aid was great! For a dime or less, you could grab a packet, add sugar and water, and have a whole pitcher of brightly colored drink for the kids. Parents loved it because it stretched pennies, and kids loved it because it came in wild flavors and stained their tongues.
Swanson TV Dinners
Back when frozen meals were still a novelty, Swanson TV dinners were a cheap fix for dinner. For just over a dollar, you’d get a full tray with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and maybe a brownie for dessert. Delicious! Well, sort of.
Jell-O Gelatin
Jell-O was everywhere in the ’70s, you couldn’t escape it even if you wanted to. You could grab a box for mere pennies, and it could be stretched into desserts, salads, or those weird Jell-O molds stuffed with meat and veg.
Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta
Cans of spaghetti and meatballs or beef ravioli were dirt cheap in the ’70s - often under 50 cents depending on where you shopped. They were marketed as “real Italian food,” though most families knew it wasn’t quite authentic. Still, kids loved it.
SpaghettiOs
Uh-oh, SpaghettiOs! Those things were ridiculously affordable and fun to eat, with a 15-ounce can costing around a quarter. The jingle stuck in everyone’s head, and moms appreciated the quick meal solution. Today, they’re still around, but they don’t feel quite as cheap and cheerful as they did in the ’70s.
Cracker Jack
A box of Cracker Jack in the ’70s was a handful of caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts for just a few pennies - and don’t forget the prize inside! That’s gone now, of course. Instead of a toy, you get a QR code for your phone. Booo.
Pop-Tarts
Pop-Tarts were still relatively new in the ’70s, but they quickly became a breakfast and snack sensation. For under 30 cents a box, you could grab a pack of frosted pastries that toasted up in minutes. They made a fantastically unhealthy breakfast, but they’re still enjoyed today.
Campbell’s Soup
At around 20 cents a can, how could anyone resist the pull of Campbell’s condensed soup? Tomato soup with grilled cheese was a go-to weeknight dinner, while cream of mushroom made its way into casseroles everywhere. This is another foodstuff that is still iconic.
Rice-A-Roni
Rice-A-Roni was once a cheap and easy side dish that fit every budget. For under 30 cents a box, families could whip up a rice-and-pasta blend that felt a little fancier than plain rice. It became a staple in weeknight dinners and made kids excited for rice.
Hamburger Helper
Launched in the early ’70s as a deliberate response to rising meat prices, Hamburger Helper quickly became a lifesaver for busy families. A box cost less than 50 cents and stretched a single pound of beef into a full meal.
Lipton Onion Soup Mix
Lipton’s onion soup mix was a ’70s kitchen superstar because it gave you so much for so little. People used it for everything - soups, casseroles, and even as a seasoning for roasts. Some moms mixed it with sour cream to make onion dip for chips at parties.
Kool Pops
Before fancy fruit bars, there were Kool Pops - those neon-colored tubes of liquid that you tossed in the freezer. A box cost almost nothing, so you could get on a sugar high for the whole summer. Kids today just don’t understand the allure of unnaturally-colored food.
Nestlé Quik
The chocolate powder that turned plain milk into a sweet treat was an absolute steal in the ’70s. A container of Nestlé Quik cost well under a buck and lasted for weeks. Kids begged for it at breakfast and parents didn’t mind - it was a cheap way to get kids through breakfast and ready for school.
Hostess Cupcakes
Snack cakes were still just a few cents apiece in the ’70s, and Hostess Cupcakes were the star of every kid’s lunchbox. Remember how they had that iconic white squiggle on top? Today, people seem to spend more money trying to make their own versions.
Bisquick
Bisquick made baking quick and affordable, with a box costing under a dollar in the ’70s. Pancakes, waffles, biscuits - you name it, Bisquick could handle it. Families loved how far it stretched and how easy it was to whip something together on busy mornings.
Twinkies
The golden sponge cakes filled with cream were wildly popular and super cheap in the ‘70s. A pack cost pennies, and they were stuffed into countless lunchboxes. They’re not quite so popular now, but they’re always showing up in nostalgic movies and TV shows.
Corn Flakes
Kellogg’s Corn Flakes was one of the most affordable cereals in the ’70s, often under 50 cents a box. It was simple stuff, so you could do what you liked with it, including putting sugar on it or chocolate milk. Yeah, healthy breakfasts weren’t a high priority in the ‘70s.
Capri Sun
Capri Sun pouches made their way into American grocery stores in the ’70s and were super affordable compared to sodas. Parents bought them happily and sent their kids off to school with them. Capri Sun is still around, but it’s controversial due to the high sugar content.
Fig Newtons
In the ’70s, Fig Newtons were both a treat and a snack that parents could feel good about. Kids weren’t always wild about the fig filling, but that was meant to be healthy! Curiously, the brand dropped the word “fig” from their name in 2012, so now they’re just Newtons.
Oreos
Oreos have actually been around since the early 1910s, but in the ’70s, they were still dirt cheap. A package cost less than 60 cents if you can believe that. And back then, there weren’t endless varieties - just the classic chocolate cookie with a creamy white filling.
Lucky Charms
Cereal aisles started to get more fun in the ’70s, and Lucky Charms, with its colorful marshmallow shapes, was a hit with kids. A box was still pretty cheap, costing under a dollar, and parents didn’t mind splurging if they got a bit of peace and quiet while the kids ate.
Ritz Crackers
Ritz Crackers were marketed as a little bit fancy, but their price kept them accessible to everyone. A box in the ’70s ran under 50 cents, making them a popular base for cheese, spreads, and even peanut butter. These days, though, they’re just one more of the many victims of shrinkflation.
Velveeta Cheese
Velveeta was the go-to “cheese” for dips and macaroni dishes in the ’70s. It was affordable, easy to melt, and stretched far in recipes. A brick of the stuff cost under a dollar, which made it an economical choice for feeding big families.
Carnation Instant Breakfast
This powder mix promised a full breakfast in a glass, and at under 50 cents a pack, it was a cheap convenience buy. It came in flavors like chocolate and vanilla, giving people a “nutritious” excuse to drink what felt like a milkshake in the morning.
Tuna Fish
Canned tuna was one of the cheapest proteins available back in the day, costing around 25 cents a can. Tuna sandwiches, casseroles, and salads were kitchen staples for families trying to stretch their grocery budgets. This worked out well, as it turns out tuna is really good for brain development.
Hershey’s Chocolate Bar
In the ’70s, a Hershey bar was still a nickel or dime, making it one of the most affordable treats around. It wasn’t overloaded with flavors or fillings - just a classic milk chocolate bar. You can still get them today, but of course they’re much more expensive now.
Shake ’n Bake
For under 50 cents a box, Shake ‘n Bake gave families an easy way to coat chicken or pork with a crunchy crust without frying. Kids loved shaking the bag and “helping” with dinner.
Planters Peanuts
A can of Planters peanuts in the ’70s was less than a dollar and lasted for days. They were a simple, salty snack for family game nights or road trips, and Mr. Peanut was an iconic mascot. It’s nuts how good they are, as one of the company’s slogans read.
Fritos Corn Chips
A bag of Fritos was a bargain in the ’70s - usually under 30 cents. They were crunchy, salty, and perfect with chili or casseroles. Frito pie even became a budget dinner in many households.
Betty Crocker Cake Mix
Cake mixes were everywhere in the ’70s, but Betty Crocker ruled the shelves. A box cost well under a dollar, and with just a couple of eggs and some oil, you had a whole cake ready to go. Many parents swore by them for their children’s birthday parties.
Miracle Whip
Mayonnaise’s sweeter cousin, Miracle Whip, was big in the ’70s and affordable at under a dollar a jar. Lower-income families loved it, and many people today have fond memories of the stuff even though it wasn’t very good for you.
Cream of Wheat
Hot cereals like Cream of Wheat were popular options in the ’70s. A box cost less than a dollar and could feed the whole family for days. With a little sugar, cinnamon, or butter stirred in, it became warm comfort food on chilly mornings.
