This resource is part of a WW1 Centenary Project called Preston Remembers, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.
In World War One many men from the farming industry joined the armed services, leaving the country in short supply of agricultural workers. Adding to concerns about British food stocks, the wheat harvest of 1916 was lower than usual and the potato crop in Scotland and parts of England failed. Food prices started rapidly increasing, making some items unaffordable for many people.
The authorities had to take action. In 1917 the Women’s Land Army was formed to provide extra voluntary labour, with 'Land Girls' replacing servicemen who had left the farms to fight. The government also created propaganda campaigns encouraging people all over the country to start growing their own food. For example, in February 1917 the Preston Committee was formed to secure 700 plots for allotments in the town's parks and other public land for the growing of food. This increased to 1,845 by 1919.
A scheme of voluntary rationing was promoted on 1 February 1917, with the aim of reducing the consumption of food in short supply, and to show how to avoid waste when cooking. Teachers in elementary schools took up the challenge and cookery centres were established in Preston.
The allowance under this scheme was based on three staples of the daily diet - bread, meat, and sugar. The weekly allowance was for:
- Bread including cakes, puddings etc - 4lbs (1.8 kg)
- Meat including bacon, ham, sausages, game, rabbits, poultry, and tinned meat - 2½ lbs (1.1 kg)
- Sugar ¾ lb (340 grams)
Shortages continued and although wealthier people could still afford food, malnutrition was seen in poor communities. To try to make things fairer and ensure that everyone received their fair share, the government introduced rationing in 1918.
Glossary
Allotment - vegetable patchAllowance - pocket money
Consumption - use up
Elementary - simple
Substitute -stand-in
Malnutrition - underfed, starved
Merchant ship - a ship designed for business not war
Promoted - to give someone a higher rank
Rationing - a fixed amount
Submarine - underwater boat
Voluntary - unpaid