Source

State Archives of Florida, Series S419

Description

A memorandum issued by the War Food Administration and the Extension Service regarding the 1944 Victory Garden Program. The memo discusses current statistics for victory gardens and suggestions and strategies for encouraging civilians to plant more victory gardens.

Date

1944-01-20

Creator

United States. Extension Service
United States. War Food Administration
United States. Department of Agriculture

Contributors

Hochbaum, H.W.

Format

Memorandums

Coverage

Florida during World War II (1939-1945)

Topic

Agriculture And Livestock

Subjects

Food conservation
Gage, J. N.
Rationing--United States
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
United States. Congress
United States. Department of Agriculture
United States. President (1933-1945 : Roosevelt)
United States. War Food Administration
Vegetable gardening--United States
Victory gardens--United States
World War II
World War, 1939-1945--Food supply--United States

Geographic Term

Washington (D.C.)

General Note

Maintaining an adequate food supply, both on the homefront and for troops serving overseas, was a critical component of U.S. military strategy during World War II. As the war intensified, U.S. military personnel required a greater share of commercially produced food. This meant that citizens on the homefront had less access to mass-produced foods, such as canned fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood. In order to make up for the deficit on the homefront, the War Food Administration encouraged citizens to plant victory gardens. Victory gardens ranged from small plots in suburban neighborhoods to large community efforts. Victory gardeners primarily grew vegetables and fruits for home consumption. Participants also learned how to can fruits and vegetables for later use and how to properly care for the soil to ensure multiple planting cycles.