Vintage Food Posters - World War I

A major part of the World War I effort involved the production and distribution of motivational posters by a variety of U.S. Federal agencies.

This post showcases a sampling of food-related vintage posters from the WWI era. The posters shown here are only a fraction of the many that were produced.

"Sow the Seeds of Victory! Plant and raise your own vegetables. Write to the National War Garden Commission- Washington, D.C., for free books on gardening, canning, and drying. "Every Garden a Munition Plant"

"Liberty Sowing the Seeds of Victory. Write for Free Books to National War Garden Commission, Washington, D.C. Charles Lathrop Pack, President. P.S. Ridsdale, Secretary."

"Food is Ammunition- Don't Waste It"

"Save Sugar by Using Best Louisiana Molasses and Sugar Cane Syrup."

"Eat more corn, oats, and rye products- fish and poultry- fruits, vegetables, and potatoes, Baked, Broiled, and Boiled Foods. Eat less wheat, wheat sugar and fats to save for the army and our allies."

"Patriots Use Corn Meal. It Cannot Be Shipped. It is Splendid Eating. It is Cheaper Than Wheat Flour. It Saves Wheat. Free Recipes Inside. Get Yours. U.S. Food Administration- New York Federal Food Board."

In addition to being works of art, these vintage posters provide insights into culinary trends of the period. They also illustrate how the U.S. government used media to communicate with citizens during World War I. 

FFA Enrollment Up Sharply

Future Farmers of America (FFA) reports that in the past year, more than 17,000 new students joined, setting a new all-time high in the organization’s membership.

During the 2010-11 school year, FFA membership grew to a record 540,379 students, up 17,070 students from 523,309 members in the 2009-10 school year.

The number of FFA chapters in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands also grew with the creation of 106 new, chartered FFA chapters.

FFA was founded in 1928. The organization helps students learn about food science, agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, research and other subjects.

USA National Ag Day 2011

Americans will celebrate National Ag Day on Tuesday, March 15, 2011.

American agriculture provides food, fiber, clothing, and even fuel. As the world population soars, an even greater demand for renewable resources exists in the United States and abroad.

The nation's agriculture industry is very diverse. Small scale farms provide pick-your-own fruits and farmer's market produce. Larger operations produce grain, beef, pork, poultry, farm raised fish, and other products. American agriculture also supplies the nation with ethanol, oils, and other bioproducts.

Programs associated with National Ag Day help to:

 * Educate Americans about how these products are produced

 * Promote the role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy

 * Note the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products

 * Make citizens aware of career opportunities in the agriculture industries.

Farmers and Consumer Groups Fight Consolidation of Food Suppliers

In December, a coalition of consumer and farmer groups urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to follow up its final competition workshop with concrete actions to address the anti-competitive practices that benefit a few large players in the food system.

At a press conference at the National Press Club, national consumer group Food & Water Watch joined farmers and ranchers to discuss how consolidation in the retail sector has affected the marketplace. Consolidation has given the largest retailers considerable purchasing power that allows them to exert influence over food manufacturers, meat processors, produce shippers and other suppliers to reduce their prices and require specific packaging and manufacturing practices. Suppliers also pressure farmers to lower their prices and workers to lower their wages. This trend leads to a few large companies controlling the entire market, forcing consumers to choose less healthy foods.

"The American food chain is shaped like an hour-glass where a handful of large powerful companies stand between more than 300 million consumers and two million farmers. Thanks to mergers and consolidation, vibrant competition in the retail grocery industry is all but dead," said Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch. "There is an illusion of choice between many different but similar processed foods, but almost all of them are sold by the same few companies."

Food costs have risen considerably over the past decade. Food inflation was especially high during 2007 and 2008. The higher prices are especially difficult for lower-income consumers. According to a 2008 report by the Congressional Research Service, even a 4 or 5 percent increase in the price of food has a significant impact on the purchasing power of lower income families.

A majority of studies reviewed by the USDA found that increased grocery chain consolidation contributed to an increase in consumer grocery prices. As prices increase, families turn to lower cost processed foods over more healthful options.

With 40 percent of American households earning less than $39,000, a small increase in the price of food can dramatically erode family food security. The USDA recently reported that one out of 7 households is suffering from hunger and one out of 4 children do not have enough to eat.

"Children are the ones left out on the margins," said Hauter. "As food has become more consolidated, processed foods have become more prevalent and kids have become more obese. It’s no coincidence that 75 percent of snack chips and 80 percent of kid’s cereals are sold by the top four firms, and the four biggest cookie manufacturers sell two-thirds of all cookies."