|
It's a little known fact that on January 18, 1943, the Secretary of Agriculture banned the sale of sliced bread in the United States until the end of the war effort. The reason? The metal from bread-slicing machines was needed for guns, tanks, and other war supplies. This was just one of the belt-tightening measures on the homefront during World War II that helped direct resources towards the war effort. These steps almost certainly helped the Allies, as this excellent exhibit from UC Davis called Classic American Food shows. Families were encouraged to produce their own food with Victory
Gardens. Meat rationing gave birth to the "Trumanburger," a fried patty of mashed baked beans. And nutritionist Ansel Keys designed the portable, healthy if tasteless "K-rations" that were eaten by GIs around the world. For more images of life on the U.S. homefront during World War II, visit this impressive collection of archived photographs from the Farm Security Administration and the Office of War Information.
|
