Oshawa Victory Garden Project

Engaging the community by re-creating a successful initiative from WW1 and WW2

Operated by the Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities (fbsc.org)

Topics

1.The Organization:Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities (fbsc.org)2.Victory Gardens3. Oshawa Victory Garden Project4. Growing Forward

Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities (fbsc.org)

Incorporated as not for profit in 2003

Mandate: to preserve and repair the environment and to ameliorate the living conditions of the underprivileged

Mission: to cultivate sustainable sensibilities

Projects

Allies

- IEEE Humanitarian Initiatives- TD Canada-Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #43- City for Oshawa- Veterans Affairs- UOIT- Ontario Ministry of Transportation- Ontario Ministry of Energy- Ontario Power Generation- Robert Bell, Sales Representative, Guide Realty LTD Brokerage

What is a Victory Garden?

During WW 1 and WW 2, the Allies had a Home Front strategy which involved the weapons of community, cooperation and gardening to fuel the spirit of victory.

Front yards, back yards and parks were converted from flowers and grass to food.

It was a way to provide food and a way for everyone to do their part for the war effort.

Impact of Victory Gardens

Victory Gardens were:

-home based or city allotments;-provided 40% of the food production during the war;- significant food source for city dwellers-In many cases an extra source of family income

Examples

Parks were divided into community garden and allotments.

Citizens picked up shovels, rakes and hoes.

Public spaces were converted into food gardens, examples:

Hyde and Regent Parks in London,

The Mall in Washington

Alexander Park in Oshawa

Oshawa Victory Garden

A component of a larger initiative to educate, inspire and engage people.

Our organic produce is donated to local food banks

Over 200 pounds already delivered.

Cultivating the Idea

We choose the Victory Garden model because it is an easily replicated historical project.

We have documented our progress with pictures, blogs and videos.

FBSC wanted to showcase how urban farming is a viable local endeavor

Garden Layout

Based upon a 1943 Ministry of Agriculture design

Typical urban plot size

- 25 by 50 feet

Family scale

.

Garden Layout

Timeline

Planning

Breaking the soil

Garden layout

Planting

Daily watering and weeding

Fertilizing

..

Our Message

Remember Green Acres Fun living is the place to be....

Most people have access to a backyard or a community garden

A small time commitment creates a bountiful harvest

Growing Forward

Short Term

Partner with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 to host a fall Victory Garden Heritage Dinner

Outreach and education to the public

Harvest and delivery of food to Feed the Need in Durham

Growing Forward

Long term plan:

300 residents growing a Victory Garden in the next five years

Broaden the cycle to include storage, home canning and meal preparation

Certification, mentorship and support programs for the gardeners

Integration of the concept into the common curriculum in Ontario

Create more synergistic collaboration with community partners

Victory Gardens are a simple but effective way to empower people to grow their own food

A cost effective and healthy source of nutritious food.

Surplus benefits the hungry

Proven concept that encourages community participation

What is old is new again! Victory Garden's are a timely concept.

For more information about the Oshawa Victory Garden

Http://oshawavictoryGarden.wordpress.com

Rationing and the WW 2

The Battle of the Home Front

Rationing was the norm for the war years with 11 million ration books issued

A ration of two pounds per person per week became effective in May, 1942

Or

1 1/2 oz of meat per meal

2 oz of loose tea per week

8 oz of ground coffee per week

During the war years the family portions were halved

Restaurants served one cup per person

Beginning late January 1942, each person was allowed 12 ounces per week

1 oz=6 tsp.

By May 1942 it was down to 8 ounces per week or 48 tsp

Today, we eat on average 22 teaspoons per day

Rations include:Maple syrup products, table syrups, molasses, apple or honey butter, and canned fruits.

On 23 August, 1943 jams, jellies, marmalade, and honey were put in the rationed category.

By October evaporated milk was just for priority use.

Late in 1944, sugar rationing became even more stringent. An article in the press revealed the need for sugar in the production of shells and bombs and molasses for synthetic rubber. Molasses was a special food item for Maritimers. They had a long tradition of slathering it on bread and there was consternation when it first became short in 1943.

What about Liquor and Cigarettes?

Other goods such as cigarettes and alcohol were never officially rationed, but were often in short supply with higher prices, Some shopkeepers kept their limited stocks for their favourite customers

Rationing continued after the war ended. Meat, which had been taken off the list in February 1944, was back on in September 1945. The need for an increased supply for devastated Europe was urgent. An editorial in the Journal stated "Paradoxical as it may appear, peace has created a greater food problem than there was at any time during the war.

The last Ration Book was issued in September 1946.

Rationing, Non Compliance and Black Market

Black Markets thrived for all types of items

Inspectors were assigned to inspect vehicles for the colour of the gas

General stores and Butcher shops were scrutinized by three million volunteer women who watched carefully the prices and goods for possible inflation and devious shopkeepers

For more information visit

Oshawa Victory Garden

Http://oshawavictorygarden.wordpress.com

Glenn McKnight and Robert T Bell