Besides potentially sacrificing their lives, soldiers on the battle fronts had to sacrifice their health and luxuries like food. However, in order to aid the soldiers, the government and people back home tried to ration their food to better support soldiers who were fighting abroad.
When the United States entered the war in 1917, the U.S. Food Administration aimed to ration the food by managing the supply and the transportation of food. People back home that their efforts to conserve food would help feed soldiers who were out fighting. People displayed slogans like "Meatless Tuesdays" and "Wheatless Mondays" to help encourage people to conserve their food supply in order to support the war. After the war, Herbert Hoover established the American Relief Administration which was known for managing shipments to help send food to European countries that were devastated as a result of the war. Because of his efforts, Hoover was later named "The Great Humanitarian," in stark contrast to his humiliating reputation during the Great Depression.
WWII
In 1942, the Emergency Price Control Act allowed the Office of Price Administration to set price limits and to ration food and commodities. As food resources became increasingly scarce, the government began to restrict the purchase of certain foods like sugar and coffee by distributing government-issued food coupons. The coupons were the only way those foods could be purchased and it therefore regulated the supply of foods. People were also given ration books that had stamps that allowed people to purchase food products that had limited supply. Certain food products cost a certain amount of points, for example, meat would cost 60 red points. However, if meat supply was low, the OPA would regulate the amount of points available to adjust.
Famous Recipes
A famous dish at the time was Apple Brown Betty which is still commonly known today. The recipe was published in a pamphlet by the Federal Food Board in order to help families back home adjust to the wartime demand of food supply and rationing.
The recipe is as follows:
Although in history classes, we often focus mainly on the politics and military behind war, it is important to remember that there were many other factors that played a huge role in supporting those forces. Not only do these supporting roles include food rationing back at home, supply lines, transportation, and wartime factories were also significant.
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/26247563
http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/food-rationing-in-wartime-america
http://www.greatfoodclub.co.uk/blog-my-win-the-war-cook-book-menu/#.VzUV9tUrKVM
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-27118824
In 1942, the Emergency Price Control Act allowed the Office of Price Administration to set price limits and to ration food and commodities. As food resources became increasingly scarce, the government began to restrict the purchase of certain foods like sugar and coffee by distributing government-issued food coupons. The coupons were the only way those foods could be purchased and it therefore regulated the supply of foods. People were also given ration books that had stamps that allowed people to purchase food products that had limited supply. Certain food products cost a certain amount of points, for example, meat would cost 60 red points. However, if meat supply was low, the OPA would regulate the amount of points available to adjust.
Famous Recipes
A famous dish at the time was Apple Brown Betty which is still commonly known today. The recipe was published in a pamphlet by the Federal Food Board in order to help families back home adjust to the wartime demand of food supply and rationing.
The recipe is as follows:
5 medium apples
1 ¼ cups bread crumbs
4 tablespoons of melted butter or cooking fat
¼ cup hot water
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
5 tablespoons dark corn syrup
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
As you may notice, there is no sugar as citizens were encouraged to cut back on their sugar consumption in order to support soldiers abroad. Other recipes include fish sausages, barley bread, maconochies, and Surrey stew.1 ¼ cups bread crumbs
4 tablespoons of melted butter or cooking fat
¼ cup hot water
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
5 tablespoons dark corn syrup
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Although in history classes, we often focus mainly on the politics and military behind war, it is important to remember that there were many other factors that played a huge role in supporting those forces. Not only do these supporting roles include food rationing back at home, supply lines, transportation, and wartime factories were also significant.
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/26247563
http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/food-rationing-in-wartime-america
http://www.greatfoodclub.co.uk/blog-my-win-the-war-cook-book-menu/#.VzUV9tUrKVM
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-27118824
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