What did people eat during World War One? | History for Year 6 PDF Download

Why was there less food during World War One?

Food shortages were rampant during World War One, with food prices more than doubling. Large quantities of food were sent to supply soldiers at the front lines. Additionally, German submarine attacks disrupted food imports by targeting supply ships. This led to shortages of fresh produce, meat, and bread, causing long lines outside stores. In 1918, the government introduced rationing to address these issues.

What was rationing?

• Rationing ensured equitable food distribution across the population. It limited the amounts of sugar, meat, butter, and milk individuals could purchase. 
• Wealthier families experienced hunger for the first time, while some poorer families found themselves better nourished due to the structured distribution system.

What was the impact of rationing?

Ration cards were restricted to specific shops, requiring families to register with a designated butcher, baker, and grocer for their food purchases.

What were shops like?

Grocers were central to daily life, selling essential goods. Their vibrant window displays featured products, including some brands still recognizable today.

What did children eat?

Starting in 1906, many schools provided hearty midday meals to children, such as bean soup with bread followed by treacle pudding, toad-in-the-hole with potatoes, mutton stew with suet pudding, or fish and potato pie with baked raisin pudding. However, wartime shortages forced schools to reduce meal provisions. Many poor families survived on minimal diets, often limited to tea, bread, and jam, with meat consumed perhaps once a week, typically on Sundays.

Sweets

In the early 1900s, sweetshops sold hard-boiled candies like humbugs, peppermints, and pear drops, stored in large glass jars. Shopkeepers weighed the sweets and packaged them in paper bags for customers.

How did life change?

• Wasting resources was strongly discouraged. Women mended socks and stockings, while men repaired shoes by adding new soles and heels. 
• In the kitchen, mothers creatively used limited ingredients, making dishes like "potted cheese" from cheese crumbs mixed with mustard, baked, and served with toast. 
• The war effort dominated daily life, making conditions challenging for those on the home front.