African-American's Chilling Invention Fuels Food Industry

Section: Food

Charla L. Draper

The culinary skills of African-Americans have long been noted. Though talented professional chefs, self-taught community cooks, and family food divas are credited with innate abilities to flavor many foods and dishes, there are significant contributions by African-Americans to the food industry that are often overlooked.

A major innovation with a chilling impact on the industry was the work of Frederick McKinley Jones. In 1935, Jones, a technician, built the first automatic refrigeration system for long haul trucks. Prior to the development of this refrigeration system, food was packed in ice and shipped to the delivery point. With a delay, profits melted and the food merchandise spoiled. The system was eventually adapted to other transport vehicles including railway cars and ships. Jones' refrigeration system was a catalyst for change - changing the country's eating habits, and creating the opportunity for the development of food production facilities in almost any geographical area.

Food production was no longer limited to and linked to the growing area. This long haul refrigeration system made it possible for produce farmers to ship fruits and vegetables long distances. Consumers in urban cities were able to enjoy produce with more garden fresh flavor.

This is an innovation that helped change eating habits, enabling consumers to choose more convenience and perhaps try foods they were not familiar with. From a business perspective, Jones' work helped a growing food business significantly. Food is now a multi-billion dollar industry with numerous refrigerated and frozen product categories. The following recipe for Green Beans 1-2-3 is just one of the dishes that may have benefited from use of the refrigerated transport systems developed by Frederick McKinley Jones