Citizens are called to be inspired by the brave war hen who eats little and produces a lot: Je suis une brave pule de guerre, je mange peu et produis beaucoup. Propaganda in WWI leaves little room for ambiguity, but some of the artwork is quite lovely. The colors and the composition in this lithograph are compelling. In 1943 Vancouverites were allowed to have a dozen chickens in their back yard without a permit. During both World Wars people were encouraged to grow their own food to save resources such as petrol and farm labor and to send the surplus produce overseas. My mom remembers sending sugar to her pen pal in England named Rosemary Coombs. My partner says his mom remembers rationing sugar by grinding up stale cookies and putting them in the cookie batter for the next batch. There was even a special war diet that helped you stay strong so that like the brave little chicken, even thought your diet was carefully rationed, you still had the energy to help the war effort and take care of your own Victory Garden.
This poster, designed by a 14-yr-old, is interesting because it is one of the earliest evidence I've seen of the concept of a Victory Garden: "Cultivons Notre Potager." In WWI they were called "War Gardens." Citizens were encouraged to eat more fish and save meat for the troops, to eat more potatoes and save bread. This American poster doesn't mince words: "Food is ammunition--don't waste it." Another American poster advises observing meatless, wheatless and porkless days.
Food:
1) Buy it with thought
2) cook it with care
3) use less wheat and meat
4) buy local foods
5) serve just enough
6) use what is left
don't waste it
--US Food Administration, 1917
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