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Message 1 - How To Feed A Family On Rations

Posted on: 26 October 2005 by Peter - WW2 Site Helper

I find this story perplexing. British rationing provided adequate nourishment; nobody starved.

Everyone received a ration book but they were obliged to register with a retailer. You could register with a different retailer for each foodstuff, but very few did. Because of this requirement to register, this scam wasn't possible. Moreover, prior to 1941 the food coupons were cut out of the ration book by the retailer. After 1941, the food coupons had to be stamped with indelible ink with a cancelling stamp supplied to the retailer by the Ministry of Food.

Meat was rationed from 11 March 1940 to the value of 1s 10p (about £3.50 in 2005 values) per person per week; although this fell to 1 shilling (£3.10) in 1941. It was done this way to provide a choice between buying a small amount of the dearer meats, such as steak, roast, or chops, or a larger amount of cheaper meat for stewing or braising. The family must have been quite well off to be able to regularly afford spending double the permitted amount just on meat.