The History of MoonPies

The original MoonPie was introduced in 1917. While there are a few different stories of how the treat came to be, one of the most prevalent holds that traveling salesman Earl Mitchell got the idea after he spoke to coal miners in Kentucky. The miners said they wanted a snack large enough to satisfy their hunger during their short breaks. Reportedly, one miner even framed the moon with his hands to demonstrate the size of the snack he’d like. In response, Mitchell convinced the Chattanooga Bakery (located in Tennessee) to start making the treats that would become known as MoonPies. When they first debuted in 1917, the snacks cost just a nickel and were produced alongside 100 other goods at the bakery. Inexpensive, filling, and tasty, they quickly became popular among working class Americans, particularly in rural areas, and especially in the South, where they were often paired with a nickel RC Cola. In the 1920s and 1930s, the MoonPie’s popularity continued to rise. In fact, the snacks became so popular that the Chattanooga Bakery stopped making their other products to focus solely on MoonPies. During World War II, MoonPies were sent to soldiers overseas and became even more beloved. And as Southern workers went to work in steel mills and auto plants in more northerly cities like Chicago and Detroit, they brought their love of MoonPies with them, introducing the treat to new parts of the country and further increasing the popularity of the iconic treats. Today, MoonPies are still produced by the Chattanooga Bakery, where over 1 million are baked each day. New flavors like Strawberry, Salted Caramel, and Orange have been added over the years, but the Original flavor is still the most beloved. Many traditions have sprung up around the treats as well — for example, MoonPies are a customary item to throw during Mardi Gras. MoonPies are now available in many parts of the U.S. and sold by a variety of retailers, including Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and Dollar General. Today, the snack remains one of America’s most iconic and beloved treats.