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Why was there less food during World War One?

A government poster from World War One encouraging people to eat less bread

The cost of food more than doubled during the war years.

Lots of food was sent away to feed soldiers fighting in the war.

There was less food arriving, as ships carrying supplies were attacked by German submarines.

Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and bread were hard to find. There were long queues outside shops.

In 1918 the Government brought in rationing.

A government poster from World War One encouraging people to eat less bread
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What was rationing?

Rationing made sure everyone in the country got some food.

People could only have certain amounts of sugar, meat, butter and milk.

Richer families discovered what it was like to go hungry. Some of the poorest families found rationing left them better-fed than before.

Watch: How did rationing work?

Watch our video to find out more about rationing during World War One.

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What was the impact of rationing?

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 6, A collection of World War One ration books, Ration cards could only be used at certain shops Families had to say which butcher, baker and grocer they would buy their food from.
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What were shops like?

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 6, A photograph of two grocers outside their shop front in World War One, The grocer sold shoppers many of the everyday things they needed Their packed window displays were a common sight. Among the things they sold are a few brands we still have today.
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What did children eat?

Children eating school dinner in a classroom during World War One
Image caption,
Children ate their midday school dinner, back in the classroom, under supervision of their teachers.

From 1906, many schools served a midday meal.

These were solid, heavy, belly-filling meals such as:

  • Bean soup and bread, followed by treacle pudding.
  • Toad-in-the-hole (sausages in batter) and potatoes.
  • Mutton stew and suet pudding.
  • Fish and potato pie, then baked raisin pudding.

In the war, schools also had food shortages and had to cut back.

Sadly, there were a lot of poor families who ate only one meal a day. They got by on tea, bread and jam. They may have had only one meal a week with meat, usually on a Sunday.

Children eating school dinner in a classroom during World War One
Image caption,
Children ate their midday school dinner, back in the classroom, under supervision of their teachers.
A shopkeeper serving sweets to two children in the early 1900s

Sweets

Sweetshops in the early 1900s sold hard-boiled sweets such as humbugs, peppermints and pear drops.

Sweets were kept in big glass jars. The shopkeeper would weigh them out and hand them to customers in a paper bag.

A shopkeeper serving sweets to two children in the early 1900s
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How did life change?

It was important not to waste anything.

Women repaired socks and stockings. Men hammered new soles and heels onto their boots and shoes.

Mothers had to be inventive in the kitchen with meals like 'potted cheese': crumbs of cheese, mixed with mustard, baked and served with toast.

Everything was focused on the war effort. Life became harder for everyone, even those who stayed at home.

A march for prohibition with men, women and children during World War One
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Activities

Activity 1: What shops were on the high street?

During World War One shops looked very different from today.

There were no supermarkets or shopping centres. Shops were smaller and many were named after the families who owned them.

Explore our interactive high street and click on different people to find out more about them.

There are ten different people to find. You can use the question mark button to highlight them all.

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Activity 2: Quiz 鈥 Rationing during World War One

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