GERMANY'S FOOD RATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 114, 10 November 1939, Page 8

GERMANY'S FOOD RATIONS

The news that German citizens ara to have their food rations increased slightly is not surprising, because last month it was reported that the country was expecting a bumper harvest. At the same time, however, the Nazis have been taking no chances with the food supply and a new cook book for the army by Dr. Kittel and Dr. Keigelmayer has been issued. The aim of the cook book is to make dishes tasty and nourishing without the need' of imported spices, seasonings, and foodstuffs, and in the introduction General Karman, Chief of the Army Administration Staff, expresses the hope that it will "strengthen the striking power of our troops." The army cooks are advised to season dishes with brewing yeast, which "contains many vitamins, much protein, and has a pleasant taste." They are also told to use juniper berries, seeds of home-grown fruits, onions, and celery powder. The book criticises lengthy cooking and recommends steam pressure and fireless cookers. It is explained that by using soya beans meat may be saved. In some army districts 300,0001b of soya beans were used in five months, "representing a saving of 700,0001b of meat." The German soldier needs at least 3400 calories a day in peace +ime and 3800 calories a day when in the field, the book says. The average consump- ! tion of butter is nine ounces a man per week. Two days a week the soldier gets margarine and the other two days he is served lard or dripping. The statistics advanced claim that last year the average citizen ate 1031b of meat, jthe average soldier 1371b. Under the ration system in existence last month the German citizen was getting about 451b of meat a year. A citizen gets 291b of fish (if he can buy it), a soldier almost twice as much. The average daily potato ration of the soldier is over 21b. The yearly consumption of potatoes by the average soldier is 7981b, that of a civilian is 4181b. The daily meat ration of the soldier now is only about six oune'es a day.