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.
