Episode 8 - The National Pantry Census

Can Manufacturers' Institute ad
Better Homes & Gardens Magazine
August 1944

Welcome to the post for Episode 8 - The National Pantry Census! Starting March 1, 1943 Americans had to deal with the rationing of canned foods, something they had come to rely on before the war. In order to obtain War Ration Book 2, which enabled them to buy the rationed processed foods, they had to declare what was in their pantries in a "pantry census" as one newspaper coined it. 

Enjoy the following images dealing with processed food rationing, food ads, and my research resources! 

OPA Poster
How to Shop With Ration Book 2
1943
Public Domain

Public Domain

Public Domain

Public Domain

To learn how to shop with point stamps,
these youngsters in a Fairfax County, Virginia,
grade school have set up a play
1941-1945
Public Domain 

Never Too Young to Learn
1943
Public Domain

Can Manufacturer's Institute ad
Better Homes & Gardens Magazine
August 1944

A&P Store ad
Ladies Home Journal
Nov 1944
Note that the coffee is now offered in bags instead of jars or tins!

VanCamp's ad
Ladies Home Journal
Nov 1944

Del Monte Food ad
Ladies Home Journal
Nov 1944
Tin and glass option for products

V-8 ad
Ladies Home Journal
Nov 1944

Florida Grapefruit Juice ad
Ladies Home Journal
Nov 1944

Libby's ad
Ladies Home Journal 
Nov 1944
Both tin and glass jar options

Heinz Cookbook with Wartime Supplement
abt. 1943
Note the Turtle Soup!

Heinz Cookbook with Wartime Supplement
abt. 1943

Cape Cod's Famous Cranberry Recipes
by Ocean Spray
1941
Note the glass and tin options

And here are the featured cookbooks with the recipes I tried for this episode!

 

Resources:

Books:

Studies in Rationing: An Analysis of Selected Rationing Programs in the United States During World War II, Vol. II. Solo, Carolyn Shaw. Harvard University, 1950.

Articles:

Make it Do: Rationing of Canned Goods in WWII

https://www.sarahsundin.com/make-it-do-rationing-of-canned-goods-in-world-war-ii-2/

(Accessed 5/20/20)

Food Rationing and Canning in World War II

https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/food-rationing-and-canning-world-war-ii

(Accessed 5/20/20)

How Did We Can? The Evolution of Home Canning Practices

https://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/ipd/canning/exhibits/show/wartime-canning/world-war-ii

(Accessed 5/20/20)

Food Rationing Begins Nationwide

http://www.nww2m.com/2012/03/march-1-1942-food-rationing-begins-nationwide/

(Accessed 5/20/20)

"Rationing Greatly Reduces Canned Goods to Civilians." The Evening Sun. Hanover, PA. 22 February 1943.

"Point Rationing Put Into Effect." The Evening Sun. Hanover, PA. 1 March 1943.

"Plan Your Garden Early Now. The Ruthven Free Press. 24 February, 1943.

"Point Rationing Will Begin March 1st; Rationed Goods 'Freeze' Starts Feb. 20." Fowler Ensign. 11 Feb 1943.

The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. 1 March 1943.

Images:

Look at the Point Values

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Look_At_The_Point_Values,_%22How_to_Shop_With_Ration_Book_Two%22_-_OAC_-_bk0007t0n59_(cropped).jpg

(Accessed 5/20/20)

Use This Ration Book

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Use_this_ration_book,_%22How_to_Shop_With_Ration_Book_Two%22_-_OAC_-_bk0007t0n59_(cropped).jpg

(Accessed 5/20/20)

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables are not rationed

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fresh_Fruits_And_Vegatables_are_not_rationed,_%22How_to_Shop_With_Ration_Book_Two%22_-_OAC_-_bk0007t0n59_(cropped).jpg

(Accessed 5/20/20)

How to Shop with Ration Book Two

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%22How_to_Shop_With_Ration_Book_Two%22_-_OAC_-_bk0007t0n59.jpg

(Accessed 5/20/20)

Never too Young to Learn

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Never_too_young_to_learn,_these_future_homemakers_receive_first-hand_experience_in_looking_for_point_values_as_well..._-_NARA_-_196401.jpg

(Accessed 5/20/20)

To learn how to shop

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%22To_learn_how_to_shop_with_point_stamps,_these_youngsters_in_a_Fairfax_County,_Virginia,_grade_school_have_set_up_a_play_-_NARA_-_535821.jpg

(Accessed 5/20/20)

Canned Asparagus

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canned_asparagus_(6443339409).jpg

(Accessed 5/20/20)

Display of canned goods

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Washington,_D.C._Display_of_canned_goods_8c36406v.jpg

(Accessed 5/20/20)

4-H Club Member Stores Food

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:4-H_Club_Member_Storing_Food_Grown_in_Her_Garden_Rockbridge_County_Virginia.jpg

(Accessed 5/20/20)