Food Rationing in World War Two
In December 1938 it was announced that in the event of war, a National Register would be taken which listed the personal details of every civilian in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This Register would be used to issue identity cards and enable the issue of ration books.
Before 1939 Britain imported 60% of its food. In January 1940 the government introduced food rationing. Everyone
was issued with a ration book and had to register with local shops - butcher, grocer, milkman
initially - and the shopkeepers received enough food for their customers.
Butter, sugar, bacon and ham were the first foods to be rationed.
The Ration Book below does not include meat and eggs because it was for a farmer.
| Weekly Ration | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bacon and ham | 4 oz | |
| Cheese | 2 oz | |
| Butter | 2 oz | |
| Milk | 3 pints | |
| Margarine | 4 oz | |
| Sugar | 8 oz | |
| Tea | 2 oz | |
| Eggs | 1 per week + dried egg | |
| Jam | 1 jar every 2 months |
Tinned fruit was a luxury bought using points. Citrus fruit and bananas were unavailable.
A Ministry of Food department issued pamphlets to help people with ideas for making the most of
weekly rations. The Radio Doctor and Kitchen Front gave ideas on the radio.
The Dig for Victory campaign began in October 1939 and people were encouraged to grow their own food, keep poultry,
rabbits, goats and pigs.
Pig clubs were formed and the pigs were fed on leftovers from the kitchen.
Every pig had to be registered and when they were slaughtered half of the pig went to the
government. The half kept had to be salted or cooked quickly.
Butchers
When meat rationing was introduced early in the war, every butcher was given the choice of being designated a “Ration Meat butcher” or a “Manufacturing” butcher. Ration Meat butchers were sent the amount of meat necessary for the customers registered with them. Pork Butchers were given an extra allowance, to enable them to manufacture sausages, pies, and a whole range of other products. The additional allowance was more than sufficient and surplus meat supplied to “Manufacturing” butchers was sold to “Ration Meat” butchers who were only too pleased to receive it. This may account for the number of pork butchers in Stamford,
Grocers
Grocers received their supplies in bulk which they then weighed and wrapped for the customer. Sugar was put in blue bags, butter and cheese cut to the required amount, bacon sliced on a machine. Many grocers and butchers paid boys to deliver the groceries to streets out of the centre.
End of the war
Food shortages worsened at the end of the war. The dry weather and poor harvest of 1945 affected the availability of both potatoes and bread, which were rationed for the first time. By 1948, the food allowance on average was much lower than during the war. It was only in the 1950s that food started to come ‘off’ ration. Restrictions on tea were lifted in 1952. Eggs, cream, sugar and sweets were removed in 1953 and butter, cheese and cooking oil in 1954. Fourteen years of rationing ended on 4 July 1954 when restrictions were lifted on meat and bacon.
Shops in Stamford
It was surprising to discover that very few businesses changed hands from 1939 to 1948.
The few that did change were taken over by new owners in the same trade.
The coming of supermarkets had a far greater effect on the town than the Second World War which had little impact on the number and variety of shops in Stamford.
| Trade | 1939 | 1948 |
|---|---|---|
| Grocers | 13 | 12 |
| Greengrocers | 13 | 16 |
| Bakers | 14 | 13 |
| Butchers | 19 | 23 |
| Milk & Dairy | 9 | 6 |
| Tea Stores | 2 | 2 |