Hungry!

The Bruges residents had a hard time during the occupation. There were strict regulations and requisitions, unemployment was rife and German soldiers claimed houses for billeting purposes. On top of this, there was the wintry cold and hunger, because like in the rest of Belgium, there was a shortage of food.

The surrounding polders were occupied territory, which meant that farmers were no longer in a position to bring their crops to the Bruges markets. In fact, the German occupier demanded a significant proportion of the harvest, while the rest was left for the people at set prices.

To distribute what little was left fairly, the locals were given food stamps, and many of the staple foods were rationed. On posters in the city, you could read how much you were entitled to each week. There were many initiatives to help the hungry population. Employers, such as the Dutch Yeast and Spirit Factory, organised bread and soup kitchens for their employees. And associations, too, served very cheap meals in their canteens.

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