Why did the US government urge civilians to plant victory gardens during the Second World War?
World War II Show
(Can All You Can, 1945)  (Housh, ca. 1917-1919) Home canning soared during World War II, reaching its peak in 1943, with over 4.1 billion jars canned in homes and community canning centers (Bentley, 1998). Wartime canning and victory gardens were symbols of patriotism and heavily promoted by the government. (Grow More Can More in '44, 1943) Home canning during World War II offered families on the home-front a way to supplement their food supplies when rationing was in effect. As an import, sugar, a home canning staple, was among the rationed items.
(Housh, ca. 1917-1919) A standard sugar ration was 5 pounds, but individuals who home canned could submit requests to their local rationing boards for up to 20 extra pounds of sugar expressly for canning, provided the applicant outline in detail their proposed canning plan (Question box, 1944). Pressure canners were also rationed during the first years of the war due to their aluminum construction. As a result, sharing pressure canners with friends and family or utilizing community canning centers grew. The risk of malfunction also grew, however and women were advised to “use extreme care” when using pressure canners. Also, everyone should thoroughly clean and inspect canners before use and not leave pressure canners unattended while in use to prevent overheating and avoid explosions (Urges caution, 1943). (Take Care of Pressure Canners, 1945)
Pressure canners were necessary for canning low-acid foods, however and the USDA put pressure on the War Production Board to ease restrictions on pressure canner production. (Williams, 1946)
(Housh, ca. 1917-1919) Rationing restrictions were lifted mid-1944 and significantly less emphasis was put on victory gardening and home canning by the government (Bentley, 1998). Food shortages towards the end of 1944, however necessitated a renewed effort by the government to support victory gardens and home canning, but participation never reached that of 1943 (Bentley, 1998).
Time Period 1877 to 1924 1925 to Today Topics Business & Industry Domestic Life Foodways Military History Politics & Government First promoted during World War I, war gardening, or victory gardens, provided American citizens an opportunity to assist with the war effort. Americans were encouraged to produce their own food, planting
vegetable gardens in their backyards, churchyards, city parks, and playgrounds. "Food will win the war." -Herbert Hoover Herbert Hoover, appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to head the U.S. Food Administration, was given the power to distribute, export, import, purchase, and store food. Hoover's program, designed to encourage Americans to produce more and consume less, urged people to live simply and placed an emphasis of volunteerism. Due in large part to his
efforts, Hoover successfully avoided wartime rationing. The act of decreasing consumption, both of food and of goods, during this time was dubbed Hooverizing. America entered the second World War, reeling on the heels of the economic hardships of the Great Depression. By 1942 the country instituted the Food Rationing Program. Simultaneously, the government reestablished programs to encourage citizens to plant victory gardens. Americans supplemented their rations with produce from their own gardens, while farmers grew the essentials. Victory gardens were widely promoted during 1943 through 1945. However, once the war ended, so did government promotions and America's reliance on victory gardens. Victory Edition 1919 War Gardening and Home Storage of Vegetables Images such as this, touched on American's sense of duty. Cabbage worms, black rust, and potato bugs are depicted as enemy plotters, while a number of vegetables stand to attention for what appears to be roll call. This cartoon, drawn by J. N. Darling, appeared in the New York Tribune and later in the Victory Edition 1919 War Gardening and Home Storage of Vegetables. (VHS call number: SB321 N 3 1919) Walking Harvest Show, Richmond, 1943 In 1943 Richmond's Office of Civilian Defense offered many programs to encourage gardening, including walking harvest shows. According to the 1943 Annual Report of the Richmond Office of Civilian Defense, 12,000 Victory Gardens were promoted and 10,000 pieces of literature on gardening were distributed. (VHS accession number: 1992.151.6) House and Garden's Wartime Manual for the Home, 1943 The knowledge for preserving and storing food became vital for victory gardeners. In 1943 canning classes were offered in all sections of Richmond. Publications such as House and Garden's Wartime Manual for the Home included gardening tips and storage suggestions. (VHS call number: TX147 H84) Why did the US government urge civilians to plant victory gardens?Labor and transportation shortages made it hard to harvest and move fruits and vegetables to market. So, the government turned to its citizens and encouraged them to plant "Victory Gardens." They wanted individuals to provide their own fruits and vegetables. Nearly 20 million Americans answered the call.
Why did Americans grow victory gardens during World War II?During America's involvement in World War II (1941–1945), the Victory Garden Program strove to reduce demand for commercially grown vegetables, packaging materials, and transportation needs by encouraging Americans to grow their own produce and preserve and can their surplus harvest.
Why did governments encourage victory gardens?During the conflict, the United States government wanted to guarantee that ample food existed for men serving in the armed forces and for America's allies overseas. By growing victory gardens, the American people could provide for themselves, instead of needing to purchase food grown by farmers.
What was the purpose of victory gardens in the United States during World War I?First promoted during World War I, war gardening, or victory gardens, provided American citizens an opportunity to assist with the war effort. Americans were encouraged to produce their own food, planting vegetable gardens in their backyards, churchyards, city parks, and playgrounds.
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