WW1 How Britain got its food

During World War I, Britain primarily sourced its food through imports from its empire and other countries like the USA and Canada, as it only produced 40% of its food domestically. When German U-boats threatened these supply lines, Britain implemented a strict rationing system and a national propaganda campaign to increase domestic agricultural production, urging farmers to plow up more grassland and grow more cereals to feed the nation. 

Dependence on Imports

• Pre-War Dependency:Before the war, Britain relied heavily on imported food, with roughly two-thirds of its food supply coming from overseas. 
• Key Imports:Major food imports included wheat from the USA and Canada, meat from Argentina, and dairy products from Australia and New Zealand. 
• Impact of War:The war effort required vast amounts of food for the civilian population and fodder for the large number of horses used for transport. 

The German Threat

• Battle of the Atlantic:Germany aimed to starve Britain into submission by attacking Allied shipping, particularly in the Battle of the Atlantic. 
• Food Shortages:These attacks led to increased shipping costs and food shortages, causing prices to rise rapidly, which resulted in panic buying and public discontent. 

Government and Public Response

• Ministry of Food:A Ministry of Food was established to control prices, introduce rationing, and manage food distribution. 
• Rationing System:A coupon system in ration books was introduced, requiring individuals to register at specific shops to purchase limited amounts of essential foods like sugar, butter, tea, and jam. 
• “Dig for Victory”:To address food shortages, the government launched a propaganda campaign, including the “Dig for Victory” campaign, to encourage citizens to grow their own food to dig up their gardens etc
• Increased Domestic Production:Farmers were encouraged and incentivized to increase domestic food production by converting grassland to arable land and cultivating more cereals to feed the nation. 
• Land usage – every garden or piece of land was used to produce food for the masses to help farmers add to the food supply.