Why did WW1 have food shortages?

The ongoing Allied naval blockade kept out the food imports that Germany had come to rely upon in the prewar years to feed its burgeoning population of 70 million. Shortages included butter, margarine, cooking fat, sugar, potatoes, coffee, tea, fruit, and meat due to the lack of sufficient cattle feed.

Did soldiers have enough food in WW1?

Soldiers’ Rations in WW1 At the time, the average working man ate around 3,400 calories a day and his meals usually consisted of a small amount of meat with plenty of bread and potatoes to fill him up. Soldiers’ meat rations were reduced, and later on in the war they only ate meat once every nine days.

Why was the food so bad in the trenches?

Food transportation was also an issue. By the time it reached the front, bread and biscuits had turned stale and other produce had gone off. In order to combat this, soldiers crumbled the hard food that arrived and added potatoes, sultanas, and onions to soften the mixture up.

Why was there a shortage of food in Britain during WW1?

The early months of the war saw some panic buying and hoarding of food. The situation then worsened when Germany began following a policy of ‘unrestricted submarine warfare’ which reduced the volume of supplies reaching Britain. Vera Waite recalled how the food shortages affected her village near Bristol.

How was food affected in ww1?

The cost of food more than doubled during the war years. There was less food arriving because ships carrying supplies were attacked by German submarines. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and bread were hard to find. There were long queues outside shops. In 1918 new laws set by the government introduced rationing.

How did they feed soldiers in WW1?

The bulk of their diet in the trenches was bully beef (caned corned beef), bread and biscuits. By the winter of 1916 flour was in such short supply that bread was being made with dried ground turnips. The main food was now a pea-soup with a few lumps of horsemeat.

How was food for soldiers in WW1?

Soldiers’ Rations in WW1 Meal options were limited, but many soldiers ate a better diet than at home, enjoying dishes such as beef tea, mutton broth, potato pie and ‘duff pudding’ (boiled plum pudding). Soldiers’ meat rations were reduced, and later on in the war they only ate meat once every nine days.

What was food like in ww1?

Why did food prices rise during ww1?

Between 1914 and 1917, food prices had risen by 82 percent with wheat, sugar, and pork being particularly badly affected. The rising wages of male and female wartime factory workers and the military allowances paid to the partners of the mobilised did not always compensate for the rise in prices.

What was food rationing in ww1?

Sugar, meat, flour, butter, margarine and milk were all rationed so that everyone got what they needed. Each person had special ration cards, even King George and Queen Mary. The cards could only be used at certain shops. Families had to say which butcher, baker and grocer they would buy food from.