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TV Dinners

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 6 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #980 in Food, #21264 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

TV Dinners

 

I'm almost ashamed to admit that I grew up on these. When I was really small they were a treat on nights when it was just me and my mom at home. I remember watching the Muppet Show and having my mother take the turkey TV Dinners out of the oven and we sat and watched and ate. That was before microwaves were a common household appliance. Once I got into middle school and we did have a microwave they became an easy way for me to "cook" for myself. In high school I think I had a Chicken Pot Pie just about everyday for a while. I know, I know, just don't think about the sodium content. Come to think of it, if it weren't for TV dinners I would have starved by now.



The Story of Swanson TV Dinners 

Straight from the Pinnacle Foods website

In 1954 television's popularity was sweeping the nation and freezers were also becoming common in many households. Gerry Thomas, a sales representative for C.A. Swanson & Sons, proposed launching a frozen dinner that would take advantage of these trends - and help reduce a surplus of Thanksgiving turkeys the Company had on hand. Gilbert and Clarke Swanson agreed to the idea and in 1954 Swanson, the original "TV Dinner" went into full production and sold 12 million cartons.

Swanson through the Decades 

  • 1950s Swanson TV Dinners were introduced to Americans
  • 1960s Desserts were added to the meals
  • 1970s A line of Swanson breakfasts was introduced
  • 1980s The entire dinner line was repackaged for those new fangled microwave ovens
  • 1990s Swanson was recognized as one of America's most popular brands
  • 2000s Swanson was re-launched as Swanson Classics, the "Original TV Dinner"

50 Years of Swanson 

50 Years of Swanson Packages


50 Years of Swanson Trays

Beyond Swanson's Brand 

All these years later and I still buy Swanson frozen meals, but they no longer have the monopoly in my freezer. I've expanded my repertoire to now include Marie Callender's and Stouffer's various sub-brands. Hey, they are quick, they fill you up and you'll never get bored with all of the choices out there.


Marie Callender's and Stouffer's Frozen Dinners

Stouffer's Dinner Club 

Have you heard about the new Stouffer's Dinner Club?

When you are shopping look for the packages with the Dinner Club logo on it. Printed inside the boxes you will find a code that you can enter on their website. Each box's code is worth 20 points. You also receive 100 points when you sign up. You can earn a little more by answering their poll and
survey.

Here's the website -> Stouffer's Dinner Club

Stouffer's is suspending this month's auctions to focus on their relationship with Feeding America (formerly known as America's Second Harvest). You can donate your points and receive a reusable grocery tote as a thank you gift.

Spin For A Win 

Stouffer's New Instant Win Game

There are two ways to play. You can either use 5 of your Stouffer's Dinner Club Points per spin, or click on links to receive free game codes for each spin. Either way you choose you are allowed up to 10 spins per day.

15 winners will be selected each day to receive a $10 Amazon.com digital gift code.

To play, select 1 of the 4 placemats. The chairs then spin around the table. If the blue chair lines up with the your placemat you'll win!

Frozen Dinner Websites 

Swanson 50th Anniversary Celebration

For more than fifty years Swanson TV Dinners have been synonymous with family entertainment. Now you can enjoy hearty, delicious Swanson meals anytim...1 point

Marie Callender's Frozen Foods

Marie Callender's frozen meals are for those who love convenient, great-tasting, home-style meals. Marie Callender's is special because every recipe i...1 point

Stouffer's

Serving your family has been Stouffer's guiding principle since 1922 when Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Stouffer opened their small, stand-up dairy counter in dow...0 points

Give them a try 

or just vote for your favorites

Tv Dinner must haves 

For sports fans 

who just can't leave the TV to eat a meal

Iowa Hawkeyes New Football Snack Table TV Tray

Amazon Price: $47.99 (as of 12/04/2008) Buy Now
List Price: $55.00
Used Price:

Usually ships in 2-3 business days

Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Jersey Snack Table TV Tray

Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2008) Buy Now
List Price: $55.00
Used Price:

Michigan Wolverines New Basketball Snack Table TV Tray

Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2008) Buy Now
List Price: $55.00
Used Price:

Louisiana State LSU New Football Snack Table TV Tray

Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2008) Buy Now
List Price: $55.00
Used Price:

Groovy TV Dinner Ads 

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eBay

TV Dinner memories to share? Favorite meals now? 

And if you've joined Stouffer's Dinner Club tell us how many points you've got so far. ;)

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poutine wrote...

When I was growing up, we only had home cooked meals.

Now, it's a different story. Once in a while, my husband and I
throw a frozen dinner in the micorwave and voila! Dinner is ready!.

Poutine

ReplyPosted November 20, 2008

JaguarJulie wrote...

Would you believe that it has been ONE year of TV dinners lunches for me since I've been on Jenny Craig. Everything, literally, came in a frozen box save a couple of pantry items. Just microwave and serve. Love your lens.

ReplyPosted September 09, 2008

adez7 wrote...

Hi Christine, I love this lens. Pot Pies are my favorite. 5*'s from me for a job well done.

ReplyPosted January 14, 2008

joanv334 wrote...

Hello, love your lens! I'd like to have one of those 50's TV Dinner packages to display in my kitchen! 5 stars

ReplyPosted July 25, 2007

KimGiancaterino wrote...

This brought back a lot of memories! We get most of our frozen stuff from Trader Joe's now, but I have a few Stouffer's favorites too. Their fettucine is great.

ReplyPosted July 25, 2007

 
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