Introduction

The Great Depression was one of the most detrimental economic crises in America. It caused financial hardships for many Americans from 1929-1939. The most adverse effects of the Great Depression included high unemployment rates and the failure of thousands of businesses. Countless people had to learn how to survive on limited funds. Families had to change how they bought and prepared their food to adapt to the problems America was facing. Poverty caused people's diets to suffer. Meals often lacked nutrient-rich foods like milk, citrus fruits, and fresh vegetables. Many had to survive on low-priced bulky items such as beans and macaroni. Grocery stores stocked up with these filling food items, as it was what people could afford at current market prices. 

The government scrambled to find ways to help struggling families. Long food lines filled city streets, many only offering bread and soups. To avoid the food lines and provide food for their families, many had to relocate to rural areas and farm for themselves. The government had to develop programs with food stamps, bread lines, and school lunches to aid the public with the food struggles many faced. Despite these programs, people were still searching for low prices on foods containing the proper nutrition necessary for a balanced diet. Michael Cullen, a manager at Kroger, saw the need for low food prices and pitched a business plan to the President of Kroger that would make history. Cullen's letter detailed ways to cut costs on vegetables, meats, and fruits by buying in bulk. He claimed his innovation could revolutionize the grocery industry, yet the pitch did not receive a response. However, this did not stop Michael Cullen from pursuing his vision. 

In 1930, Michael Cullen opened King Kullen, America's first supermarket, as recognized by the Smithsonian Institute. They note him as the "first to fulfill the five criteria of a modern supermarket: separate departments; self-service; discount pricing; chain marketing; and volume dealing." With these strategies, King Kullen drastically cut prices on household food items, helping families afford the nutritional meals they needed at their local store. The supermarket could sell the vegetables, meats, and fruits the public desired at affordable prices, gaining recognition as the "World's Greatest Price Wrecker." Michael Cullen made history, inspiring the introduction of supermarkets all around the United States. Today, supermarkets are an integral part of the American lifestyle and an essential source of nutrition for many families.