7 A Second World War: 1940’s

World War II would shape American household eating habits even more. The war meant an end to the custom of household servants and the introduction of food rationing, meaning even homes of greater means were left looking for creative ways to make meals on their own with fewer ingredients. Rationing began in May of 1942 beginning with sugar, then coffee, meat, fats, canned fish, cheese and milk joined the list by March of the next year.

Households were encouraged to plant victory gardens to supplement their rations and improve health, and starchy, meatless meals became staples for their ease of preparation. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese became popular as it was inexpensive, filling and required only one ration point per box. Another product that gained popularity was Spam, a product said to help “win the war” with its ability to provide allied troops with a portable protein supply. These wouldn’t be the only processed foods to prosper: the manufacturing innovations born of wartime weaponry would later be used to further industrialize America’s food supply.