The Kraft Way of Kraft
By Jaiden Palacios
Jaiden Palacios
Encounters 7
Mr. Skipper
April 27, 2020
Krafty Way of Kraft
Introduction
Throughout the years, we humans have had to eat food(some of that food had cheese in it). Us humans have used cheese for a long time, and well of course it had to have changed. In this research paper, I will be explaining one of the people who made an interesting change in the cheese business. The person I will be talking about is James Lewis Kraft. I will be explaining Kraft’s early life, career, and late life. Though Kraft’s business had only been around for about 87 years it had evolved the way cheese is packaged and made. In this short research paper, a lot of information surrounding James Lewis Kraft will surprise you. While I was typing this paper it made me feel a little careful about the food I put into my mouth. The reason I chose to do the Kraft Cheese Company was that I felt it would be a little easier because it’s a favorite for most people (me included). I also chose this because well it is food I eat a lot. When I chose this project I expected it to be easy to do, but in fact, it was the hardest thing I ever did(so far). A lot of people I know like Kraft Cheese, so I expected there to be a lot of websites on Kraft but I only found things on the food. I know the cheese business will just get better through the existence of humankind.
Early Life
Kraft has been around for more than a hundred years. Kraft has changed the way cheese is packaged and shipped. For years cheese wheels had to be cut and the cheese would spoil, but Kraft changed it all by shipping in sliced cheese. Kraft in his life evolved the way in the cheese business tremendously. (Just a fact, Kraft’s cheese is processed.) Another fact is, no one knows the way Kraft’s last name changed. (Lloyd L. Sponholtz)
James L. Kraft was born on November 11, 1874, in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. (James Lewis Kraft, par. 1) Kraft’s parents were George Franklin Kraft and Minerva Alice Tripp. (Lloyd L. Sponholtz, par.1) Kraft grew up in a strict environment and strict discipline. (Lloyd L. Sponholtz) After, high school Kraft left his home and became a banker in Fort Erie. (Lloyd L. Sponholtz) In 1903, Kraft moved to Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. (Lloyd L. Sponholtz) While in Buffalo Kraft attended business school. (Lloyd L. Sponholtz) The next year Kraft moved to his permanent home. While Kraft was living there Kraft entered the cheese business. While Kraft was working his two most valued co-workers convinced him to quit his job. Kraft was soon stranded in the streets with $65. With the remainder of the money, Kraft kick-started his own cheese company. (Lloyd L. Sponholtz) While Kraft was on his own he bought 2 things a horse and a wagon, he then bought cheese from stores and repurposed it to other stores. (Lloyd L. Sponholtz)
Kraft’s early career
Kraft’s life had changed a lot through his childhood and teenage years. Kraft's life ahead dealt with his cheese company. Kraft had changed a lot in the cheese business. A lot of things happened after Kraft had entered the business. At first, when he was there his partners convinced him to go out. But he tried again and then his company became a success.
After Kraft was stranded in the streets and used his only money on a wagon and a horse. Soon Kraft started to buy cheese and resell it. That was the beginning of Kraft's cheese business. Later in his life, some of Kraft's siblings joined his company. The siblings who joined were Charles, Fredrick, Norman, and John.
Kraft soon bought advertisements for his Cheese Company on trains and billboards. Later in 1912, Kraft had made another office for his cheese company. Soon Kraft sold manufactured cheese to army men in World War One. Because of his sales to the army in World War One his company gained 6 million. In 1920, Kraft bought a Canadian cheese company. While Kraft was experimenting with cheese, he had some income with the cheese company patents he shared with his rival cheese company. (the Phoenix Cheese Company) Although he shared the patents they were in favor of Kraft. While experimenting in the 1920s, Kraft bought over fifty dairies for his manufactured cheese. His cheese was made of cheddar cheese, whey, milk, Disodium Citrate, Calcium Phosphate, Butterfat, Gelatin, Salt, Phosphate Lactic Acid, Anatole, and Paprika. In 1928 Kraft merged with his rival company (The Phoenix Cheese Company) to make the Kraft-Phenix cheese company. During the Great Depression failed to stop his company's policies. He continued his rapid advertising in 1933 by announcing the largest advertising budget in the firm's history. (Lloyd L. Spohnholtz)
Late Career
Later the federal government tried to unsuccessfully sue the Kraft-Phenix and other major dairy companies for price-fixing. The government again bought cheese from Kraft for World War II. Soon in 1947, he sponsored the t Kraft Television Theater(one of the first major television programs) Later in 1949. James L. Kraft's company produced more products such as processed cheese spread or as people called cheese whiz. Kraft had stayed a religious person throughout his life. Kraft had always believed his success was because of god. Later, Kraft joined a Baptist church called: Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. One of Kraft’s hobbies was collecting jade. Soon, Kraft had made a workshop in his home and made jewelry such as rings and necklaces. (Lloyd l. Sponholts) Kraft soon made jewelry for his employees, but soon the number of employees forced him to turn to professional jewelers. Soon his interest in jade led hinge to create a book called the adventures in jade. Later, Kraft received many honors for his book. He received the honor of the Gutenberg award of the Chicago Bible Society in 1952. He soon married Pauline Elizabeth Platt. Later, they had a daughter. Later, he died, and because he was a religious person he left all his money to churches worldwide. (Lloyd.l Sponholtz)
Conclusion
The Kraft-Cheese Company has been around for a long time, but the company had to have gone through some major changes for good and bad. It took a long time for me to write this even if it was a little past the last due date. I loved typing this paper. I chose to do Kraft because I wanted to know more and more about the Krafty Founder James Lewis Kraft. When typing this paper it made me a lot more cautious about what I eat, but I have learned more about the beloved company everyone loves. I have made a lot of research papers, but none like this one. I have been on many sites trying to find a proper website to use. I have read a lot of websites, but only a couple of websites that actually worked. I used a lot of time from my everyday life to write this paper. I typed a lot about James Lewis Kraft’s early life, Career, and late-life. I was surprised by what I found out. When I was finished with this paper it made an important impact on how I could type this. I made this to find out how cheese had evolved over the years. With this information, I’m pretty sure cheese and other foods will continue to evolve.