Victory Gardens, also called "war
gardens" or "food
gardens for defense", were gardens planted
both at private residences and on public land
during World War I and World War II to reduce
the pressure on the public food supply brought
on by the war effort. In addition to indirectly
aiding the war effort these gardens were also
considered a civil "morale booster" — in
that gardeners could feel empowered by their
contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce
grown. These gardens produced up to 41 percent
of all the vegetable produce that was consumed
in the nation.
-City Bountiful: A Century of Community Gardening
in America, Laura Lawson
In 1941, America went to war. At home the
war effort touched everyone. Throughout the
country, at home in the States, people plowed
front yards, lawns, back yards, flower gardens
and vacant lots to grow their own vegetables.
Even public land was put to use, from the lawn
at San Francisco City Hall to the Boston Commons
to portions of San Francisco's Golden Gate
Park. San Francisco's victory program became
one of the best in the country. There were
over 800 gardens in Golden Gate Park. Every
park in the city had gardens and many vacant
lots were used for growing vegetables.
Drawing from the rich history of World War
II Victory Gardens, Victory Gardens 2007+ puts
a new spin on the meaning of “victory”.
In this program, “victory” is:
- independence from corporate food systems
- community involvement
- getting people closer to the natural environment.
 |
1943 Golden Gate
Park. Over 200 gardens. |
 |