On This Day

Rationing for the War Effort

With the onset of World War II, many challenges confronted the American people. The government found it necessary to ration food, gas, and even clothing during the war. Americans were issued a series of ration books. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items .

The Office of Price Administration first rationed tires. In March of 1943, meat, cheese, fats, canned fish, canned milk and other processed foods were added to the already growing list of rationed provisions. Many levels of rationing went into effect. Some items, such as sugar, were distributed evenly based on the number of people in a household. Other items, like gasoline or fuel oil, were rationed only to those who could justify a need.