The Judenrat was authorized to buy food from Polish food cooperatives or German supply authorities. Rationing was strictly controlled. Each official distribution center was assigned consumers, and accounting was made on the basis of ration coupons received. The food situation in the ghetto was always critical, as a result of shortages and inferior quality food.
The food supply structure grew rapidly. In March, 1940, five food shops were put into operation in the ghetto. By the end of 1941, there were 45 bread and grocery stores, 16 dairy shops, and 16 meet shops. Employment in these operations also grew dramatically. For example, the coal department grew from 10 persons in May, 1940, to 702 in May, 1943.
Below are thumbnails of three complete food ration cards. The last card is specifically for a child. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Full Cards" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of a variety of coupons for vegetables. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Vegetables" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of a variety of coupons for cabbage. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Cabbage" in the left frame to return.
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Below are thumbnails of a variety of coupons for potatoes. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Cards Potatoes" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of a variety of coupons for meat. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Meat" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of a variety of coupons for soup. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Soup" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of a variety of coupons relating to bakery items. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Bakery" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of a variety of coupons for meals. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Meals" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of miscellaneous coupons. The first is for meat bones. The next two are for special food supplements. The next is for "diet" food distribution. The last is for coffee. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Miscellaneous" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of a variety of coupons for heating materials. The first is for wood waste and the rest are for coal. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Heating" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of a coupon for socks and a coupon for clothing. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Clothing" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of a coupon for housing for January, 1941, and October, 1941. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Housing" in the left frame to return.
Below are thumbnails of a variety of coupons relating to health matters. The first two are health department coupons. The next two are coupons for baths. The next is a coupon for a ritual bath. The last is a coupon for a clothing locker at the public bathhouse. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Health" in the left frame to return.
Below is a thumbnail of a ration card for cigarettes. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Cigarettes" in the left frame to return.
Below is a thumbnail of a ghetto lottery ticket. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Lottery" in the left frame to return.
Copyright © 2003 Edward Victor