WWII Rationing and Food Coupons in California
Narrator: With war comes great sacrifice, throughout every community in America, luxuries were set aside and rationing became a way of life.
Gus Kanelos: It became a daily part of the routine of the community because we never knew what they were going to want us to do next; what they were going to ration next and so it was difficult really because you just took it as it come, you took life in stride as it came and you accepted it.
Female: Nobody complained about anything except the kids wanting gasoline to run around a little bit and everybody did what they to do with the rationing and it was fine.
Narrator: The United States ration board created war ration books to monitor the food and necessities of each family in business throughout the community.
Gus Kanelos: I remember when I went to school there uh when I was attending Elk Grove High School we had to get rations for our shoes, for our clothing and for gasoline too and everything you needed you had to have a ration coupon book and even to go buy your butter and stuff like that. It was a, it was a time when I thought it was pretty hard for most people.
Barry Bauer: But it caused people to ride public transportation together. It caused people to consider what they did in their off hours, what they ate, what they wore. Everything was very closely examined in those days, the luxuries were set aside and it was something that was a hardship, but it was necessary so that it was accepted. And whether it was the lack of fuel to take a drive in the country or some type of meat or other food that wouldn’t be on the table this week, people accepted that as part of the burden to bear and that they were all baring it equally.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services