Ministry of Food and successors: Welfare Food Scheme, Registered Files (WF and WFP...

MH 110

1941-1959

This series contains registered files relating to the Welfare Food Scheme and concerning general administration and also procurement policy, mainly in relation to cod liver oil and concentrated orange juice. It includes papers taken over from the Ministry of Food in 1955.

Extension of the Milk in Schools Scheme in MAF 85/284

For other files relating to maternity and child welfare nutrition see:

For earlier material on the National Dried Milk Scheme see MAF 309

WF file series

Public Record(s)

English

• Ministry of Food, 1939-1955
• Ministry of Health, 1919-1968

19 file(s)

The Welfare Food Scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Food in December 1941 to supplement wartime rations for all children, expectant and nursing mothers and also certain elderly people. The foods concerned were cod liver oil, concentrated orange juice and vitamin tablets. A National Milk Scheme to ensure, with Treasury aid, the supply of milk for mothers and babies had already been introduced in July 1940.

During the post-war period, the Welfare Food Scheme continued for young children and mothers whilst rationing was in force. After rationing ceased in July 1954, these services were provided through the Family Allowances Scheme as "benefits in kind", and the Milk in Schools Scheme which was introduced in 1934 and administered by the Board of Education. This Scheme eventually became the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and later the Ministry of Education.

In April 1955 the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries were amalgamated to form the Ministry of Agriculture,Fisheries and Food. As from 1st October 1955 the Minister of Health assumed responsibility for welfare foods, but the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods acted as procurement agent.