This cookbook was not written by a single author but, rather, was compiled by a group of women who were members of the Dugald Women’s Institute at the time of the book's publication. As a result there is little information regarding who these women were. The attached image contains information about some of the Dugald Women's Institute's members at the time the book was published. 

The Women’s Institutes have a long history in Canada. The movement was initiated in Ontario by Adelaide Hoodless and would soon find popularity across Canada. These rural organizations acted as important support groups for women by providing them with valuable information regarding domestic science and proper home management. The first Women’s Institute was formed in Manitoba in 1910 and, today, many continue to meet. During the Great Depression, the Women's Institutes offered a variety of topics for members, ranging from thrifting to dressmaking. For this reason, many women were drawn to the Women’s Institutes as they could meet with women living similar lives and from similar backgrounds. Quite often, rural women lacked access to networks or support groups so the Women’s Institutes served as way to connect rural women. As this cookbook demonstrates, these Institutes helped show women how to stretch food as far as possible while still preparing nutritious and delicious recipes, especially when incomes fell during the Great Depression.