During World War II, rationing in Europe was quite severe as German blockades kept much-needed supplies from entering key areas. In the U.S., the rationing was less severe but still impacted daily life, covering items used for military production and for the troops. Examples included leather for army boots, meat for ration packs, silk for parachutes, and various oils needed for bombs, war machines, and supplies for soldiers.
Ration Book Poster 1940s
Butter was one of many oils and fats that were restricted during the war. This category also included mayonnaise, olive oil, lard, and margarine. Consumers had ration booklets that covered various commodities by weight.
A pound of butter in 1943 cost 16 points (from red ration stamps), in addition to the government-capped price of the butter. This would have been an entire week’s worth of fats and oils for one person. A pound of margarine, which was easier to produce, only used up 4 points.
Rationed Fats, Oils, and Spreads 1943
While American rations were relatively comfortable compared to European rations in terms of how much each person in a household could eat in a week, many people were struggling financially, too. Riding the heels of the Great Depression, many families lost their primary breadwinners to active service in the war, and many of these soldiers never came back.
So, savvy shoppers were not only concerned with ration points but also about money. One way to save on food costs was to “cut” familiar foods with cheaper fillers. Meatloaf is a perfect example of this. Another method was Knox spread, a way to essentially double your butter without doubling your cost.
Woman Buying Rationed Foods in the 1940s
According to a newspaper ad from December of 1942, you could turn 1 pound of butter into 2 by using Knox gelatin to thin your butter, saving you around 39 cents. Converted to today’s money, that would be just over $7—not a small sum for a family struggling to make ends meet.
The Secret to This Butter Spread
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