Ice famine

An ice famine was a scarcity of commercial ice, usually during the hot summer months, common before the widespread use of the refrigerator. It often resulted in the widespread spoilage of food and medicines, and in some instances in death from heat stroke.^[1]

Instances

In 1918 ammonia was diverted to manufacturing munitions which led to a shortage of commercial ice. Harvesting of natural ice and storage for summer was increased.^[2]
1911 Eastern North America heat wave.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b "Eleven Dead in Pittsburg. Ice Famine Grows Worse and Suffering Is Great. Cooling Breeze Last Night and Promise of Thunder Showers to Follow.". New York Times. July 11, 1911. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00A1FFE3A5517738DDDA80994DF405B818DF1D3. "The second day of the second record-breaking heat spell in a fortnight was hot, but the maximum temperature did not equal that reached just a week ago. The wind turned just in time, blowing an eighteen-mile comforter, and 95.3 was the maximum recorded, as against 98 last Monday."
^ "To Avoid Ice Famine. Extra Million Tons of Natural Ice Will Be Cut, Saving Ammonia.". New York Times. February 6, 1918. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60912FB3B5B11738DDDAF0894DA405B888DF1D3.