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Discover what rationing is, why it happened, and why you might have eaten chocolate potato pudding if you had been alive 100 years ago. Lots of food was sent away to feed the soldiers fighting in the war. There was also less food arriving from other countries because ships bringing supplies were often attacked by German submarines called U-boats. Food became very expensive. In 1918, new laws set by the government introduced rationing, a way of sharing food fairly. Sugar, meat, flour, butter, margarine and milk were all rationed so that everyone got what they needed. Each person had special ration cards, even King George and Queen Mary. The cards could only be used at certain shops. Families had to say which butcher, baker and grocer they would buy food from. Nobody starved but people were often hungry. To help, they grew fruit and vegetables in their own gardens. Surplus produce was preserved as jam, pickles or chutney so there would be more to eat in the winter.

Children could research some rationing inspired recipes from World War One. They could cook some of these recipes and have a tasting and evaluation session of their cooking. They could create their own recipes from a set of World War One ingredients and ration restrictions. Children could produce their own persuasive posters and leaflets which encourage people to ‘Grow your own’ and ‘Don’t waste it’.