Rationing: What Eating Light Looked Like During WWII

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Rationing: What Eating Light Looked Like During WWII

Witness the resilience of civilians going without for a greater cause.

Published 7 months ago

With resources stretched thin during World War II, citizens of the world rationed food and supplies to support a greater cause.

The governments of England and the U.S. flooded civilian life with ads and methods to encourage the people to do without while men fought overseas. Rationing books, economic recipes, and the growing of "Victory Gardens" were a regular part of life during the 1940s, and the effort helped keep troops fed and ready for war.

See the sacrifices ordinary citizens made everyday to support those on the frontline.

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Rationing in wartime Britain
1939

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Ration poster
D Williams, 1944

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A mother hands over her ration book as the clerk tears out the stamps
Circa 1940s

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A view of a tray containing the ration book with weekly rations of sugar, tea, margarine, ‘national butter’, lard, eggs, bacon and cheese
Circa 1940s

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Back View Of Grocer Pointing Out Prices Of Canned Goods To Woman Holding Ration Book
1940s Britain

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Ad for White House coffee with new packaging that saves on tin
December, 1942

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A shopkeeper cancels the coupons in a British housewife's ration book
1943

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"How to Shop With Ration Book Two" poster
1943

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An American child purchases a can of V8, handing the grocer his ration book
Circa 1940s

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U.S. Food Administration rationing poster
Circa 1940s

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A British housewife has limited choice for her vegetable purchasing, as potato stocks dry up due to tight rationing control over supply
December, 1941