08 May We’ll Meet Again
Today is the 75th anniversary of VE Day and we wanted to take the opportunity to shine a light on some of the brilliant brands that kept the nation fed during the Second World War and continue to feed us today.
Heinz Baked Beans has been a household favourite for decades and between 1941 and 1948, The Ministry of Food classified the humble Heinz bean as an ‘essential food’ as part of its wartime rationing system. 75 years on the iconic brand with its distinctive turquoise can – largely unchanged over the years – continues to be a much-loved part of our everyday lives.
Cadbury, the nation’s favourite brand (and maker of the brand Heroes), was forced to suspend production of its Dairy Milk bar in 1941 due to the government banning manufacturers from using fresh milk and instead produced ‘Ration Chocolate’ that was made with skimmed milk. As sugar was also heavily rationed, Cadbury’s chocolate was a rare and much needed treat. Today, Cadbury continues to delight with an ever-growing range of confectionery that is at the very heart of British food culture.
Tea is quintessentially British. It’s the drink we are known for, it’s the hot, comforting beverage most of us turn to in a crisis – and in the war it was no different. Churchill was reputed to have said that ‘tea is more important than ammunition’ – a sentiment exemplified by the decision of the Government in 1942 to buy every available pound of tea from every country in the world except Japan. And Twinings, one of the UK’s oldest brands and still in production, was key to keeping wartime Britain supplied with tea. The famous tea brand, that holds a royal warrant, also produced tea for Red Cross prisoner-of war parcels, the Women’s Voluntary Service and for many YMCA wartime canteens.
The brands mentioned here are just a few that played an integral part in the war effort and that remain a part of our lives today.
Today is an important day – a day to remember the brilliant men and women who fought for our freedom.
Thank you.
