Feeding War: Mobilizing the Kitchen in World War I Germany

This paper examines the management of food and nutrition on Germany's homefront.  Through an analysis of war-time cookbooks, nutritional studies, local newspapers, and the War Foods Office (Kriegsernährungsamt), she analyzes how both military officials and local health and philanthropic organizations encouraged German civilians to show their patriotism and support for the war through the judicious and economical use of food. At the same time, however, she reveals how the initial attempts at a national or "generic” food mobilization failed and programs on food economy were not successful until they were tailored to reflect regional tastes, local environments, and individual resources.