ABSTRACT
At the outbreak of the war, the country was heavily dependent on foreign imports. This situation was unsustainable in wartime as the experience of the Great War had demonstrated. This chapter first presents an account of the interwar decision-making process regarding wartime supply management and discusses the preparation, organisation, evolution and presentation to the public of the measures taken to effectively respond to the wartime food problem. The reality of the wartime food situation is then presented through the analysis of Mass Observation materials on the impact of the war on the food situation and eating habits of the population. This analysis shows the social dimension of this experience, and reveals interesting facts about food priorities, preferences and key issues regarding the wartime diet.
