How to keep the soldiers supplied with sufficient nourishing food
was one of the first and most serious matters the Italian Government
had to consider. As everyone knows, the principal articles of food
consumption among Italians of every station, rich or poor, are macaroni
and spaghetti. The staff of life of the Italian people, they are made
almost entirely of flour.
Italy never has grown enough wheat to supply her needs. Under war
conditions her imports fell to such an extent that little or no wheat
could be obtained. Hence the country faced a critical situation.
The first step was conservation. It was ruled that macaroni and
spaghetti could be served only on certain days. Manufacturers were
restricted in the amount they could make. Then flours of mixed cereals
were used.
Italians are great lovers of bread. To meet a shortage, every available
acre of ground where wheat would grow was cultivated. If the men on
the farm had gone to war, the women took their places. The Government
encouraged and aided the farmers in every possible way, and then
when aid came from the United States, in addition to sacrifices and
restrictions in Italy, the situation improved.
Fruit and vegetables are plentiful and, for these times, reasonably
cheap. Italians are not great meat-eaters; they have sufficient meat
for their needs, and by adhering rigidly to the regulations they have
been able to keep the army fully supplied.
The Adriatic and the Mediterranean abound with fish of almost every
variety. Fishermen are therefore able to meet the country's needs. Next
to macaroni and spaghetti the Italians like fish, and as it is far
cheaper than meat, for the poorer classes it forms a food which they
can afford to buy.
Olive oil, formerly used in great quantities, many of the people even
drinking it, is now on the restricted list, and can be obtained only in
limited quantities.
Bread, as in America, is mixed with other cereals, and for civilians
practically no white bread can be obtained. In the army, there are no
restrictions--the best of food is given to the soldiers. They obtain
meat, butter, milk, sugar and other edibles denied wholly or in part to
civilians.
As in France, wine is a part of the regular rations. Various welfare
organizations see that the people do not suffer for want of food.
Irrigation and intensive farming, in which representatives of all
classes are now helping, is aiding in the solution of the food problem.
[Illustration: AN ITALIAN KINDERGARTEN SHATTERED BY AN AIR BOMB