Rations
Certain foods became scarce during the war. The Government issued a ration book filled with coupons to each person for beef and lamb, butter, sugar and tea (a reflection of the diet of the time) as well as for clothing. When they bought the restricted item they had to hand over a coupon and were only allowed to use a certain number of coupons a week. Fish, pork, chicken and cheese were not rationed. Rationing continued for a couple of years after the war for some foods and government pricing controls were still common in the late 1940s.

Despite the rationing they suffered during the war, many Australians donated food parcels to Britain.

Oslo Lunches
During the 1940s there was a growing awareness that the food people ate affected their health. Oslo lunches of wholemeal bread, cheese, milk and fruit and vegetables were trialled on some children in Victorian schools. After 6 months these children were healthier. The foods of Oslo lunches were promoted throughout Australia as important for a healthy diet.

Yankie Doodle Comes To Town
In the post-war years Australia looked to America as a potential ally. Australian and American soldiers fought together in World War II and visiting American soldiers brought foods that were rationed or scarce in Australia such as chocolate and chewing gum. Americans also asked for foods that were not widely eaten then in Australia such as sweet corn, avocados and orange juice. This was not, however, the start of American influence in Australia - American migrants had been contributing to Australia and its food industry since the goldrush days of the 1850s.

• GOLDEN CIRCLE canned fruit manufacturers opened a factory in Brisbane in 1947.
  
• BIRDS EYE, manufacturers of frozen foods, makes its debut in Australia in 1949.

Kraft News

Kraft Food Boxes
Kraft made up special wooden gift boxes containing an assortment of Kraft canned meat products, cheese and Vegemite which relatives could send to soldiers and sailors serving in the war. Vegemite was in short supply during the war which Kraft explained in adverts: 'Vegemite fights with the men up north'. After the war soldiers marching along Riverside Avenue were showered with Vegemite labels by employees as a form of salute.

Getting It Right
In 1948 foil lining was perfected as the best packaging medium for keeping Kraft processed Cheddar fresh. The cheese was exported in blue cans and shipped to export markets.

There were also advances in the manufacturing process such as the introduction of the trommel (German for 'drum'), which revolutionised cheese-making. This invention, which came originally from Joe Sharkey working on the factory floor, mechanised curd and whey separation.

Canned meats were relaunched under the Kraft label rather than the Red Feather label.

Dr CP Callister Dies
In 1949 Dr CP Callister, creator of Vegemite, died.