The invention of dinner television (TV) led to lifestyle changes in American society. Created in 1953 by CA Swanson & Sons, frozen dinners allowed mothers to take breaks from cooking and sit down with their families (Pendergast). These meals quickly gained popularity and revolutionized the way Americans viewed food. Today, many families still purchase these meals, but do not realize that they have several limitations. Although TV dinners seem like convenient and inexpensive food choices, in reality "TV dinner culture" has serious implications for the environment, health and agriculture. The problems posed by TV dinners, such as food miles, inadequate nutrition, and false costs, alienate people from their food, their families, and their environments, and would be alleviated if Americans purchased foods at food markets. producers. foods from farmers markets should serve as alternatives to TV dinners. But what are TV dinners and why are they not sustainable for health and the environment? How was “TV dinner culture” born? Why are we obsessed with them? To begin with, in 1953, excitement grew around these prepackaged meals because people had never seen anything like them before. TV dinners combined home refrigeration and television, two of the most popular new inventions of the decade (Pendergast). These meals were novelties and began to be seen in homes across the United States. Additionally, starting in the 1980s, their popularity reflected the changing population and lifestyles of people. In a 1983 issue of New York Magazine, Bernice Kanner stated that “there are more singles…more childless couples, more retirees, and more single-parent households…. medium...... middle of paper ...... easy to spread. TED: TED Partner Series, May 2008. Web. November 30, 2011. Paul, Maya W., Gina Kemp and Robert Segal. “Organic Foods: Understanding Organic Food Labels, Benefits and Claims.” Helpguide.org: Ad-free articles from experts help give you knowledge, support and hope. August 2011. Web. December 5, 2011. Pendergast, Sara and Tom Pendergast, eds. Bowling, Beatniks and Bellbottoms: Pop Culture of 20th Century America. Flight. 4. Detroit: U•X•L / Thomson Gale, 2002. Print. Tilman, David, Kenneth G. Cassman, Pamela A. Matson, Rosamond Naylor, and Stephen Polasky. “Agricultural sustainability and intensive production practices: Article: Nature.” Nature 418 (2002). Nature Publishing Group: scientific journals, jobs and information. Internet. November 31, 2011. Xuereb, Marc. “And miles to go before eating... Hooray from the land.” Journal Alternatives 32.3 (2006): 18+. Print.