The Franco-American Brand

[Jean B.]

The Franco-American brand has an interesting history. Alphonse
Biardot came to the United States from France in 1880. Six years
later, with his two sons, he started a food company in Jersey
City, New Jersey. In 1915, this company was acquired by the
Campbell Soup Company. Interestingly, the product most associated
with this company, SpaghettiOs, was created in 1965, long after
this acquisition, and is now marketed under the Campbell’s name.
It is not clear to me what products, other than gravies, now sport
the Franco-American name. Franco-American does not even appear as
one of Campbell's brands.

Anyway, the reason why I am writing this is because I was just
looking through “The Household”, March 1889, Vol. 22, No. 3, where
I saw an ad for Franco-American products. This was a mere three
years after the company started. The ad reads as follows:

Franco-American Food Company’s French Soups "Under the Direct
Supervision of Alphonse Biardot, Member of the Jury of experts on
Food at the Paris International Exhibition. In Quart, Pint, and
1-2 Pint Cans, and 1-1/2 Pint Glass.

Green Turtle
Terrapin
Chicken
Mullagatawny
Printanier
Mutton Broth
Vegetable
Beef
Mock Turtle
Consomme
Ox Tail
French Bouillon
Tomato
Julienne
Chicken-gumbo or Okra
Pea...

Served on all Pullman and B. & O. Buffet Cars...”

[spacing is not as in the original]

I find it interesting that this label, which sank pretty low, in
my opinion, had such interesting offerings in the past. Maybe
someday, I will put my hands on some testimonials. Those would
provide useful commentary, if true.

[Arri London]

Post by Jean B.
The Franco-American brand has an interesting history. Alphonse
Biardot came to the United States from France in 1880. Six years
later, with his two sons, he started a food company in Jersey
City, New Jersey. In 1915, this company was acquired by the
Campbell Soup Company. Interestingly, the product most associated
with this company, SpaghettiOs, was created in 1965, long after
this acquisition, and is now marketed under the Campbell’s name.
It is not clear to me what products, other than gravies, now sport
the Franco-American name. Franco-American does not even appear as
one of Campbell's brands.
Anyway, the reason why I am writing this is because I was just
looking through “The Household”, March 1889, Vol. 22, No. 3, where
I saw an ad for Franco-American products. This was a mere three
Franco-American Food Company’s French Soups "Under the Direct
Supervision of Alphonse Biardot, Member of the Jury of experts on
Food at the Paris International Exhibition. In Quart, Pint, and
1-2 Pint Cans, and 1-1/2 Pint Glass.
Green Turtle
Terrapin
Chicken
Mullagatawny
Printanier
Mutton Broth
Vegetable
Beef
Mock Turtle
Consomme
Ox Tail
French Bouillon
Tomato
Julienne
Chicken-gumbo or Okra
Pea...
Served on all Pullman and B. & O. Buffet Cars...”
[spacing is not as in the original]
I find it interesting that this label, which sank pretty low, in
my opinion, had such interesting offerings in the past. Maybe
someday, I will put my hands on some testimonials. Those would
provide useful commentary, if true.
--
Jean B.

Actually some of the offerings may not have been all that interesting in
their day. Most of those were relatively common soups in middle class
households. A bulk producer back then wouldn't have put up 'interesting'
products in tins or glass.

[Jean B.]

Post by Arri London

Post by Jean B.
The Franco-American brand has an interesting history. Alphonse
Biardot came to the United States from France in 1880. Six years
later, with his two sons, he started a food company in Jersey
City, New Jersey. In 1915, this company was acquired by the
Campbell Soup Company. Interestingly, the product most associated
with this company, SpaghettiOs, was created in 1965, long after
this acquisition, and is now marketed under the Campbell’s name.
It is not clear to me what products, other than gravies, now sport
the Franco-American name. Franco-American does not even appear as
one of Campbell's brands.
Anyway, the reason why I am writing this is because I was just
looking through “The Household”, March 1889, Vol. 22, No. 3, where
I saw an ad for Franco-American products. This was a mere three
Franco-American Food Company’s French Soups "Under the Direct
Supervision of Alphonse Biardot, Member of the Jury of experts on
Food at the Paris International Exhibition. In Quart, Pint, and
1-2 Pint Cans, and 1-1/2 Pint Glass.
Green Turtle
Terrapin
Chicken
Mullagatawny
Printanier
Mutton Broth
Vegetable
Beef
Mock Turtle
Consomme
Ox Tail
French Bouillon
Tomato
Julienne
Chicken-gumbo or Okra
Pea...
Served on all Pullman and B. & O. Buffet Cars...”
[spacing is not as in the original]
I find it interesting that this label, which sank pretty low, in
my opinion, had such interesting offerings in the past. Maybe
someday, I will put my hands on some testimonials. Those would
provide useful commentary, if true.
--
Jean B.

Actually some of the offerings may not have been all that interesting in
their day. Most of those were relatively common soups in middle class
households. A bulk producer back then wouldn't have put up 'interesting'
products in tins or glass.

Yes, they were more common back then. I am surely viewing this
through the prism of time. Thanks for the reminder of that, Arri.

[Derek Lyons]

Post by Arri London
Actually some of the offerings may not have been all that interesting in
their day. Most of those were relatively common soups in middle class
households.

I was thinking much the same thing. They seem 'interesting' today
because they have long since fallen from fashion and out of day-to-day
eating habits. (As with the fad for offal that perennially passes
through the foodie world.)

Post by Arri London
A bulk producer back then wouldn't have put up 'interesting' products in
tins or glass.

Any more than they do today.

D.

[Jean B.]

Post by Derek Lyons

Post by Arri London
Actually some of the offerings may not have been all that interesting in
their day. Most of those were relatively common soups in middle class
households.

I was thinking much the same thing. They seem 'interesting' today
because they have long since fallen from fashion and out of day-to-day
eating habits. (As with the fad for offal that perennially passes
through the foodie world.)

Post by Arri London
A bulk producer back then wouldn't have put up 'interesting' products in
tins or glass.

Any more than they do today.
D.

Heh! Well, I have to admit that one of my motives for posting was
to get some discussion going here, because this group is so dead.
At least there is a wee bit of that. :-)

[Arri London]

Post by Jean B.

Post by Derek Lyons

Post by Arri London
Actually some of the offerings may not have been all that interesting in
their day. Most of those were relatively common soups in middle class
households.

I was thinking much the same thing. They seem 'interesting' today
because they have long since fallen from fashion and out of day-to-day
eating habits. (As with the fad for offal that perennially passes
through the foodie world.)

Post by Arri London
A bulk producer back then wouldn't have put up 'interesting' products in
tins or glass.

Any more than they do today.
D.

Heh! Well, I have to admit that one of my motives for posting was
to get some discussion going here, because this group is so dead.
At least there is a wee bit of that. :-)
--

It's a fair comment :)

The best cheeses aren't sold shredded, the best oranges aren't sold as
juice or concentrate, the best olives don't come in glass jars, the best
tea doesn't come in little bags etc etc. An exception might be things
such as frozen peas. Those tend to be high quality and often better than
so-called 'fresh' peas.

[Jean B.]

Post by Arri London

Post by Jean B.

Post by Derek Lyons

Post by Arri London
Actually some of the offerings may not have been all that interesting in
their day. Most of those were relatively common soups in middle class
households.

I was thinking much the same thing. They seem 'interesting' today
because they have long since fallen from fashion and out of day-to-day
eating habits. (As with the fad for offal that perennially passes
through the foodie world.)

Post by Arri London
A bulk producer back then wouldn't have put up 'interesting' products in
tins or glass.

Any more than they do today.
D.

Heh! Well, I have to admit that one of my motives for posting was
to get some discussion going here, because this group is so dead.
At least there is a wee bit of that. :-)
--

It's a fair comment :)
The best cheeses aren't sold shredded, the best oranges aren't sold as
juice or concentrate, the best olives don't come in glass jars, the best
tea doesn't come in little bags etc etc. An exception might be things
such as frozen peas. Those tend to be high quality and often better than
so-called 'fresh' peas.

Point(s)!