World War One Introduces Rationing
Shortly after the United States declared war in April 1917, citizens realized in addition to the necessary rations of U. S. soldiers, there existed the starvation of civilians throughout Europe. The government created the U. S. Food Administration to encourage rationing and conserving food. Under the direction of future President Herbert Hoover, the administration instituted a voluntary rationing program that included Meatless Tuesdays and Wheatless Wednesdays. Through the year of war and into 1919, consumption of meat in the United States dropped more than 15 percent. Exports of food to Europe increased significantly. Locally, the Sherburne County Star News promoted the rationing. Referring to the Meatless Tuesdays and Wheatless Wednesdays, the paper opined, “If these measures are necessary to win the war, let us all munch corn meal and be thankful.” The paper went on to suggest the rationing of bacon. “Bacon is the soldiers’ real food fr...