I've also heard that in some cities it increased the number of people who were unfed since many bars offered a free lunch (think bowl of today's stew) with the

I've also heard that in some cities it increased the number of people who were unfed since many bars offered a free lunch (think bowl of today's stew) with the purchase of a drink. When you get rid of the alcohol subsidizing the food cost, suddenly finding dirt cheap food was harder.