Meat and other foods were rationed during World War 2. Everyone had a ration card, and had to register with a local butcher and grocer where they would buy food according to their weekly ration allowance - the amounts differed for men, women and children. Fruit and vegetables were not rationed but were only available in season. Bananas were unavailable after 1941: the first shipment to Britain after the war came in at Avonmouth Docks in 1945. Any 'luxury' food imports stopped during the war: the shipping was need for essential supplies.

Rationing made extra work for the grocer, weighing out and bagging up small amounts and making sure that nothing was wasted.