Before WWII, Britain imported over half its food annually but German submarine attacks stopped imports. To prevent food shortages, rationing began in 1940 where ration books with coupons were issued. Initially, bacon, butter, sugar and other staples were rationed. People were encouraged to grow their own food and collect food scraps to support the war effort. Clothing rationing followed in 1941 as cloth became scarce, limiting new clothes purchases to coupons for one new outfit per year. Rationing lasted until 1954 to recover from wartime shortages.