author
General Foods Corporation
A major force in American packaged foods, this company helped shape everyday grocery shelves with brands like Post cereals, Jell-O, Maxwell House, and Tang. Its story follows the rise of convenience foods, big-brand marketing, and the wave of mergers that reshaped the industry.
2 Audiobooks
Certo: A Short Cut to Better Jams and Jellies
by General Foods Corporation
The Calumet Book of Oven Triumphs!
by General Foods Corporation
About the author
General Foods Corporation grew out of the business built by C. W. Post, whose company introduced Grape-Nuts and Postum in the late 1800s. Over time, the business expanded into one of the biggest names in packaged foods in the United States, bringing together a wide range of well-known products including cereals, desserts, coffee, and drink mixes.
In the 20th century, General Foods became especially influential through brands such as Jell-O, Maxwell House, Birds Eye, Kool-Aid, Tang, and Post cereals. Its success reflected changing American habits: more branded groceries, more convenience foods, and more national advertising aimed at everyday households.
The company did not remain independent forever. Philip Morris acquired General Foods in 1985, later combined it with Kraft, and the business was folded into Kraft General Foods and then Kraft Foods. Even though the General Foods name largely disappeared, many of its best-known brands remained familiar to shoppers for decades afterward.