The Reichsnährstand was formed on 13 September 1933 by the Reichsminister für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, Walther Darré, when all farmers organisations were merged into one. It was responsible for price control, imports, rationing, distribution and production related to agriculture and organised everyone working in the agricultural sector.

When the food shortage began to be felt during the war due to the bombings, Darré was suspended in May 1942 and relaced by Herbert Backe May in 1944.