United States Food Administration

The U.S. Food Administration was the agency responsible for the administration of the U.S. Army overseas and Allies' food reserves during the United States' participation in World War I. One of its important tasks was the stabilization of the price of wheat on the U.S. market. It was established by Executive Order 2679-A of August 10, 1917, pursuant to the Food and Fuel Control Act, and was abolished by another executive order, Executive Order 3320, on August 21, 1920.[1]

Poster with a patriotic theme to save food (1917), issued when domestic food restrictions were applied to support the U.S. Army overseas.

During the time of the administration, the United States was short of nearly everything as many commodities were being sold to their allies. All citizens were asked to donate any weapons, horses, and ammunition they possessed to help supply the army, with a small hope of the items being returned. The rationing was done during this time of national need so that food for soldiers, and citizens, would not be an issue. Concepts such as "meatless Mondays" and "wheatless Wednesdays" were also implemented to help ration food, so that the government could prioritize the war effort.

History
Mina Van Winkle, in Food Administration uniform, explains Victory gardening and explains recommended food processing.

The appointment of Hoover

Woodrow Wilson realised he would need a dynamic leader to ensure the Food administration was effective. His advisor, Edward House suggested Herbert Hoover who had previously run the Commission for Relief in Belgium. Walter Hines Page, the British ambassador, endorsed this choice and Wilson, a Democrat agreed although Hoover was a Republican.[2] Hoover accepted the position only on the basis that he would have a completely free hand as regards the Washington bureaucracy, which in particular referred to David F. Houston, the Secretary of Agriculture. Despite initial resistance Houston acquiesced and Hoover was appointed.[2]

Grain Corporation

The administration employed its Grain Corporation, organized under the provisions of the Food Control Act of August 10, 1917, as an agency for the purchase and sale of foodstuffs. Having done transactions in the size of $7 billion it was rendered obsolete by the armistice in Europe. President Woodrow Wilson promoted its transition in a new agency for the support of the reconstruction of Europe. It became the American Relief Administration, approved by an Act (Public, No. 274, 65th Congress) on February 25, 1919.

The Food Administration Grain Corporation became the United States Grain Corporation pursuant to Executive Order 3087 of May 14, 1919.

Poster advertising issued

See also

Notes
  1. "Records of the United States Food Administration", The National Archives at Fort Worth, Texas
  2. Buschman, Neil O. (2013). "The United States Food Administration During World War I: The Rise of Activist Government Through Food Control During Mobilization for Total War". Auburn University Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Auburn University. Retrieved 14 September 2018.

Further reading
  • Frank M. Surface / Raymond L. Bland: American Food in the World War and Reconstruction Period. Operations of the Organizations Under the Direction of Herbert Hoover 1914 to 1924, Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1931
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