🛒 Depression-Era Deals: A Taste of Norwood’s Grocery Scene in Fall 1938
In the crisp early days of autumn 1938, Norwood’s grocery stores offered a bounty of seasonal staples and household essentials — all at prices that reflected the frugal ingenuity of the Depression era
From native fowl to canned goods and baking staples, the town’s food culture was shaped by practicality, community, and a touch of culinary pride.
🐔 Fresh Fowl & Fall Proteins
At Stop & Shop on Washington Street, shoppers could find:
- Native fowl: 25¢ per pound — a hearty centerpiece for Sunday dinners
- Corned beef and lamb cuts: Affordable options for stews and roasts
- Fresh oysters: First of the season, sold by the pint
- Salt pork and boiling beef: Staples for soups and frugal meals
🥫 Pantry Staples & Canned Goods
The shelves were stocked with:
- Grapefruit juice (46 oz): 15¢ per can
- Tomato juice, pineapple, and shrimp: 10¢ each
- Spaghetti (Franco-American): 5¢ per can
- Beans (B&M and Friend’s): 2 large cans for 25¢
- Norwegian sardines: 4 tins for 25¢
- Cranberry sauce: 10¢ per tall can
🍞 Baking & Breakfast Essentials
- Pastry flour (24½ lb bag): 49¢
- Quaker oats (large pkg): 17¢
- Aunt Jemima pancake mix: 10¢
- Baking soda: 4¢ per pound
- Ivory soap (4 cakes): 27¢
- Diamond matches (6 boxes): 19¢
🍎 Produce & Dairy
- New England Macintosh apples: 4 lbs for 15¢
- California iceberg lettuce: 5¢ per head
- Native spinach and table grapes: Seasonal favorites
- Creamery butter: 27¢ per pound
- Muenster cheese: 19¢ per pound
- Cream cheese (3 oz pkg): 5¢
☕ Coffee & Beverages
- Maxwell House coffee: 2 lb tin for 49¢
- Sanka and Kaffee Hag: 35¢ per pound
- Big Value coffee: 10¢ per pound — a budget-friendly brew
🧻 Household Goods
- Paper towels: 5¢ per roll
- Waldorf tissue (4 rolls): 17¢
- Old Dutch Cleanser (3 cans): 20¢
- Bleach, ammonia, and vinegar: 10¢ each
📝 Suggested Sidebar Features
- 📸 Archival photo of Stop & Shop or A&P storefront in Norwood
- 🧮 “What $1 Bought in 1938” infographic
- 🍲 Depression-era recipes using featured ingredients
Here’s the “Then & Now” pantry comparison table in clean, skimmable format — perfect for embedding in your WordPress article or using as a reference for a visual layout:
🛒 Then & Now Pantry Comparison: 1938 vs. 2025
| Item | 1938 Price | 2025 Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canned spaghetti | 5¢ | ~$1–$1.50 | Store-brand pasta in tomato sauce |
| Grapefruit juice (48 oz) | 15¢ | ~$2.50–$4.00 | Fresh juice now harder to mass-produce affordably |
| Pastry flour (24½ lb) | 49¢ | ~$25–$30 | Bulk flour for baking, specialty brands |
| Macintosh apples (4 lbs) | 15¢ | ~$4–$7 | Price varies by season and region |
| Iceberg lettuce (per head) | 5¢ | ~$2–$2.50 | Still a budget-friendly staple |
| Corned beef (per lb) | 17¢ | ~$5–$7 | Often sold pre-cooked or deli-sliced |
| Lamb (various cuts) | 15¢ | ~$5–$12 | Premium cuts command higher prices |
| Maxwell House coffee (2 lb) | 49¢ | ~$16–$20 | Depending on roast and packaging |
Norwood Free Press from September 16, 1938
By the Norwood Historical Society, created with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot
🌟 Enjoyed this fun glimpse into Norwood’s past? Help us spread these stories by liking, sharing, and commenting on our posts across social media. Your voice keeps history alive—and it just might spark someone else’s memory! 💬📣