The state of catering at defense factories in the Penza region during the Great Patriotic War and ways of solving the food problem

The article attempts to overcome the stereotype that has developed in recent decades in the historical literature about the widespread poor catering during the Great Patriotic War. The dynamic materials on the operation of the canteens of seven large military factories in the Penza region suggest that the documents recorded the greatest number of shortcomings in 1942. There were queues in the canteens, poor-quality cooking, lack of dishes and chairs, rude service, and unsanitary conditions. In the following years, the situation has noticeably changed for the better. Some aspects of the catering problem are considered in the context of the general situation in the country. The organization of subsidiary farms and the development of horticulture have become a successful means of improving the nutrition of workers at enterprises.