Feeding the nation

During the Second World War years there was a critical need for Britain to find ways to be self-sufficient in terms of food. With enemy blockades around our shores many of the goods that were usually imported were unable to reach us. By January 1941 the usual food supply coming from overseas had fallen by half. The Lend Lease system helped, with food arriving from the US and Canada. Nevertheless it was still necessary to introduce food rationing. Advice centres were set up throughout the country showing people how to make the best of the little that was available. With the scarcity of imported wheat, bread became more of a luxury, with ‘Potato Pete’ encouraging people to eat more potatoes, a foodstuff that could be locally grown.

Home-grown carrots were also in…