Free learning resources from arts, cultural and heritage organisations.

Food Revolution from the 1960s to Present Day

In the 1960s and 1970s the role of women was changing very quickly. More women were going out to work, so M&S made life easier by introducing good quality, nutritious convenience food, like boil-in-the-bag meals and microwave dinners. Dishes became more varied, and exotic Chinese and Indian ranges reflected the new travel opportunities of the times.

M&S Convenience Food Section 1974
M&S Convenience Food Section 1974

M&S Boil in the Bag Ravioli
M&S Boil in the Bag Ravioli

M&S Chinese Ready Meal from 1985
M&S Chinese Ready Meal

By the early 1970s, home freezers were becoming cheaper and more easily available and in 1972 M&S introduced frozen food including lasagnes and pizzas. By 1973 convenience food was being sold in 100 stores and was a huge hit with the public. There are now many different ranges of convenience food, from Gastropub classics to Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian and Japanese dishes to Plant Kitchen, the M&S vegan convenience food range.

M&S 2012 Gastropub Runny Scotch Eggs
M&S Gastropub Scotch Eggs

M&S Cook! Steaks 2012
M&S Cook! Steaks 2012


Launched in 2000, Count on Us is a range of meals, salads and lunch options that are calorie controlled and low in fat. Foods that are higher in fats and sugar tend to contain a lot of calories. This range has been developed to help people who are trying to lose weight sensibly, offering a variety of dishes to choose from that are low in fat (less than 3g per 100g) and calorie controlled.