ABSTRACT
In the last third of the nineteenth century Germany shifted from a traditional agrarian to a modern industrial state. The food requirements of big towns could no longer be supplied from the surrounding area alone and additional foodstuffs had to be imported from more distant German regions or abroad. Immediately after the beginning of the war on 5 August 1914 Britain declared a stop of all food transports to Germany and in November an economic blockade was imposed by all combatant nations allied with Britain. The first step in the establishment of a national nutrition economy was the bread and grain order of 25 January 1915. All German towns and rural districts took over the function of a wholesale dealer. A national potato office was established by the government in 1915, but total rationing of potatoes was impossible. From April 1916 onwards free sales of potatoes in urban markets were forbidden but this prohibition was not successful.
