The Food Wasn’t Just Bad, It Was Horrific
But even this fare was luxurious compared to the food private contractors Hudgins & Dumas served. In 1913, the Department of Labor investigated claims that the kitchen served immigrants gut-twisting food like old, stale bread, spoiled meat, and pies made with apple cores and skins. Contractors Hudgins & Dumas were accused of serving scrap meat, mainly trimmings and neck pieces, in place of roast beef.
“A good deal of the time I was there” former chef Jacob Minstermann testified about the meat he served to immigrants, “the food which we served was not fit to eat.” Minstermann additionally said of the meat, “I was told to trim it off and make the best of it.” When the Hudgins and Dumas contract came up for renewal in 1916, Ellis Island Commissioner Frederick Howe refused to renew it, citing their efforts to increase by reducing portion sizes and quality.
