U.S. At War: Overstuffed Cupboard

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For part of the frightening food situation which last week had all Washington and half the U.S. in a dither (see p. 11), U.S. food packers gave one hard & fast reason: Government buyers are snapping up canned goods as if they expected every canner to close shop tomorrow. Last year the Government bought 75,000,000 cases of canned fruits and vegetables, a walloping 31% of the biggest pack on record. This year's buying schedules are bigger still—140,000,000 cases, over one-half the total pack.

The Government backs up this buying spree with one stock answer: the unprecedented food requirements of the Army, Navy and Lend-Lease. So far so good. But the big trouble is that Government purchasing agents have probably gone beyond all rhyme or reason. Of the mountains of canned goods bought last year, the Government has so far used about one-third—all the rest gathers dust and rust (but no vitamins) in warehouses and quartermaster depots. Moan the canners: now the Government plans to expand buying, thus build stockpiles still higher.

But last week it looked as though the Government would ease up—at least for the time being. In a surprise move, it released 10,000,000 extra cases of the 1943 vegetable pack for civilian use. However surprising the news, U.S. can openers will hardly notice the difference—the new allotment amounts to two cans per year per citizen.