Rationing and Victory Gardens in WWII

Rationing in World War II

World War I brought challenges in the home front. One of the challenges the American people confronted was rationing. Rationing was part of the large effort introduced by the government to make sure everyone had a fair share of what was available. Families would be limited in how much flour, butter, gasoline and other things they could buy. In 1942 Food Rationing program started.

Sugar rationing started in May 1943 with the distribution of “ Sugar Buying Cards” Registration was required and coupons were distributed based on family size. Red stamped rationing covered all meat, butter, fat and oils. Each person was allowed a certain amounts of points weekly with expiration dates. Blue Stamped covered canned, bottled and frozen fruits and vegetables juices and dry beans. A “War Ration Book“ and tokens were issued to each family which authorized a purchase of rationed goods in quantity and in a designated time which guaranteed each family a fair share of goods.

Victory Gardens

The program called Victory Gardens was meant to help citizens provide for themselves in an attempt to help with the war effort. With the shortage of labor and transportation to harvest and move fruits and vegetables the U.S. government proposed the national food growing effort to plant “ Victory Gardens “. Empty lots, back yards, and school fields were cultivated for Victory Gardens as a viable source of foods. With a small investment of soil, fertilizer and hard days of work to plan and tend the garden the average family could enjoy 4 -5 months of fruits and vegetables. The U.S. government estimated fruits and vegetables harvested in these plots to be 9- 10 million tons, an amount equal to all commercial productivity of fruits and vegetables. The government was able to encourage citizens to enjoy healthy lifestyle by decreasing the intake of meat and fats and eating more fruits and vegetables.- MaryAnn P.