World War II restrictions cut deep into every American pantry
as federal officials announced that sliced bread would be
rationed on this day in history, Jan. 18, 1943.

"I should like to let you know how important sliced bread is to
the morale and saneness of a household," distraught mother
Sue Forrester of Fairfield, Connecticut, claiming to speak on
behalf of America’s housewives, lamented in a New York Times
letter to the editor.

Wartime rationing had already caused severe restrictions on
the nation’s household food supply.

Basic resources were devoted in ever-growing volume to the
war effort in 1943, as the tide of battle turned and the U.S. and
its Allies went on the offensive across the vast expanse of two
oceans.

Bread rationing marked the depths of sacrifices on the home
front. 

Young boy with a war ration book at a supermarket, as
children were taught the facts of point rationing during
the war.

On November 29, 1942, coffee joined the list of items rationed
in the United States. Despite record coffee production in Latin
American countries, the growing demand for the bean from
both military and civilian sources, and the demands placed
on shipping, which was needed for other purposes, required
the limiting of its availability.

Scarcity or shortages were rarely the reason for rationing
during the war. Rationing was generally employed for two
reasons: (1) to guarantee a fair distribution of resources
and foodstuffs to all citizens; and (2) to give priority to
military use for certain raw materials, given the present
emergency.

Sunshine Division gears up to distribute over 2,000
Thanksgiving meals amid rising demand in Portland. 

Donations may also be sent to the main office:

Sunshine Division
687 N. Thompson Street
Portland, OR 97227

The first trip left Portland on June 6, 1935
and was discontinued May 1, 1971.

1950

The Dromedary brand was established by the National Date
Products Corporation, which was founded in 1917 in New
York City.