Food rationing during world war 2 primary homework help. Because of these shortages, the us governments office of price administration established a system of rationing that would more fairly distribute foods that were. Each stamp authorized a purchase of rationed goods in the quantity and time designated, and the book guaranteed each family its fair share of goods made scarce, thanks to the war. In addition to the persons name and address, these books also required a physical description of the individual, their sex, and their age. Ration book definition and meaning collins english. Kennedys ration book issued by the united kingdom ministry of food to institute food rationing policies during world war ii. The great bane of the poor housewives was queuing, which might take up.
War ration book one ration coupons on the home front. Get the best deals on wwii ration book when you shop the largest online selection at. In january 1940, the british government introduced food rationing. The work of issuing ration books and exchanging used stamps for certificates was. It is unlawful to sell or give it to any other person or to use it or permit anyone else to use it, except to obtain rationed goods for the person to whom it was issued. With the pending capitulation of japan, the printing of ration books for 1946 was halted by the opa on august, 1945. War ration books were produced by the united states office of price. Bread, which was never rationed during wartime, was put on the ration in july 1946. Youll notice that they change slightly throughout the war. I was given 6 war ration books with most of the stamps still in them. Childrens ration books allowed them more of certain items, such as milk, but less of everything else. The first two images explain how ration books were to be used. Ration books notice the dates these ration books were issued to doris and montague corri.
This book is the property of the united states government. Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during which it must be used. Rationing in the us was introduced in stages during world war ii. Wwii ration books provide name, address, age, occupation, and even height and weight. This meant planning meals carefully, being creative with menus, and not wasting food.
My grandmother recently died peacefully at 95, and while my sisters and i were. What you need to know about rationing in the second world war. On august 15, 1945, world war ii gas rationing was ended on the west coast of the united states. The office of price administration opa warned americans of potential. A complex system of rationing, administered by the us office of price administration opa, was put in place with stamps, ration booklets and some other similar. More than 8,000 ration boards across the country administered the program. Every man, woman and child was given a ration book with coupons. It was thought that even if japan does not fold now, the war will certainly be over before the books can be used. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products. During the second world war, you couldnt just walk into a shop and buy as much sugar. One way to get rationed items without coupons, usually at greatly inflated prices, was on the. Office of price administration opa froze prices on.
Ration stamps became a kind of currency with each family being issued a war ration book. On january 30, 1942, the emergency price control act granted the office of price administration opa. They had to register and buy their food from their chosen shops. Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services, or an artificial. Rationing of food lasted for 14 years and ended on july 4, 1954. Every american was entitled to a series of war ration books filled with stamps that could be used to buy. Search this index of over 11,210 wartime records with images.
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