American shops
During The First World War, the Belgian population was dependent on foreign food aid. The Nationaal Hulp- en Voedingscomité played a crucial role in the distribution of the imported foodstuffs. To this end, the committee opened its own sales points, which the population could visit to buy sugar, corn, tinned meat, rice and other staple products. Because the United States took the lead with aid, and because many products originated there, the sales points were soon named American shops in popular parlance.
Redactie
03 September 2015