Public Catering System in Stalingrad After the Abolition of Food Cards (1947–1953)

Introduction. This article examines the development of the public catering system in Stalingrad in the first years after the abolition of rationing in 1947. Methods. For the preparation of this article, special historical methods were used: historical-descriptive and historical-comparative. When studying the office documentation, the method of quantitative analysis was used. Analysis and results. Unlike retail trade, the public catering industry experienced a noticeable drop in turnover after the abolition of rationing. Former commercial enterprises that purchased products at the market lost income due to a decrease in purchasing and, accordingly, selling prices. One of the main reasons for the drop in demand was the meager assortment of former ration canteens and the low quality of their dishes. Changes occurred in the structure of the public catering industry and its turnover. The number of canteens was reduced, and buffets and snack bars appeared en masse, selling mainly purchased products, primarily alcoholic beverages. An optimal structure of public catering was sought. In 1948–1950 most of the workers’ canteens and cooperative teahouses came under the jurisdiction of the city canteen trust, but in 1950, catering enterprises in the southern and northern districts of the city were transferred to the newly created regional mixed trades. The catering system of Stalingrad began to fulfill the turnover plans only in 1950, but only thanks to purchased goods. Its own products significantly lagged in volume, and the plans for their release were not fulfilled. An acute shortage of premises did not allow for a rapid expansion of the catering network. Most canteens were located in temporary premises that did not meet sanitary conditions. The priority for the builders was production facilities: a few new canteens were built, and many of the existing ones had to be closed due to emergency and unsanitary conditions. Until the end of 1950, the number of catering enterprises even decreased and began to grow only in connection with the rise of civil construction in the city. A constant problem for canteens was the monotony of the menu, low quality of food, and long lines. While workers’ meals were generally organized at the enterprises, there were almost no accessible canteens in the city center. By 1953, Stalingrad’s public catering system was still in an unsatisfactory state.