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History

Saving food, saving lives: WW1 food posters

This collection of propaganda posters was produced by the United States Food Administration during the First World War.

The publicly-administrated program advocated for conservation of food resources for overseas allies and encouraged the idea of eating more locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Take a look through these emotive, surprising and historically influential designs.


  • Poster featuring three men in a harvest, with the words 'The world cry food keep the home garden going'

    Due to desperate food shortages in Europe, America was called upon to supply food to its allies. Americans were encouraged to keep gardens so that extra food could be sent to soldiers and starving civilians.

    This poster’s title and three figures reference the famous American Revolution painting The Spirit of ’76 by Archibald Willard. Instead of musical instruments, the trio carry wheat and vegetables in a new show of American patriotism.

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    Poster, ‘The Spirit of ‘18’, 1918, United States, by William McKee (artist), Forbes (printing firm), United States Food Administration (publisher). Gift of Department of Defence, 1919. Te Papa (GH016653)


  • Poster featuring a basket of food and the words 'Food is ammunition - don't waste it'

    The posters needed to appeal to the patriotic spirit of Americans because unlike British rationing, the government wished Americans to restrict their diets voluntarily.

    In this example, mounted American troops carry their national flag against a dramatic sunset backdrop. The artist’s choice of background is incredibly patriotic, calling all Americans to prevent food waste to support the war effort.

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    Poster, ‘Food is Ammunition’, circa 1918, United States, by John Sheridan, Heywood Strasser & Voigt Litho. Co., United States Food Administration. Gift of Department of Defence, 1919. Te Papa (GH016564)


  • Poster featuring a sketch of a soldier holding a cup, with the words 'Feed a fighter, eat only what you need, waste nothing, that he and his family may have enough'

    The United States joined the war in April 1917. America’s greatest artistic talents were mobilised to win over American public opinion on an unpopular war. The Food Administration posters were part of this ‘pictorial publicity’ for the war effort.

    New York artist Wallace Morgan’s design was influenced by his time as an official artist in the American Expeditionary Force. The soldier’s confronting gaze reminds Americans at home of the meagre conditions experienced daily by frontline soldiers.

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    Poster, ‘Feed a Fighter’, 1918, United States, by Wallace Morgan, United States Food Administration. Gift of Department of Defence, 1919. Te Papa (GH016306)


  • Poster with a man holding a wounded solider, with written words 'Blood or bread, others are giving their blood, you will shorten the war, save life if you eat only what you need, and waste nothing'

    According to head of the U.S. Food Administration Herbert Hoover, ‘second only to military action [food] was the dominant factor’ in the war.

    The posters often referred to the military aspect alongside the issue of food consumption.

    Henry Patrick Raleigh was one of the most famous and prolific American illustrator artists of his time. This poster is one of five designs he created for the Food Administration campaign.

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    Poster, ‘Blood or Bread’, 1918, United States, by Henry Raleigh, Forbes, United States Food Administration. Gift of Department of Defence, 1919. Te Papa (GH016594)


  • Poster with the words '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

    The Administration’s primary concern was waste.

    This poster outlines six ways Americans could prevent food waste. Some families had meatless and wheatless days each week, replacing wheat with corn and barley.

    Perhaps there are some nuggets of wisdom here for the modern day?

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    Poster, ‘food’, 1917, United States, by Fred G Cooper, The W.F. Powers Co. Litho., United States Food Administration. Gift of Department of Defence, 1919. Te Papa (GH016566)


  • Poster that reads 'This is what God gives us, what are you giving so that others may live? Eat less wheat, meat,

    This cheery, colourful poster has a serious message. It appeals to those of a religious conscience, arguing that God gives Americans an abundance of food and so it is their duty to share the bounty with its allies so that they too can live.

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    Poster, ‘This is what God gives us’, circa 1918, United States, by A Hendee, Edwards & Deutsch Litho. Co., United States Food Administration. Gift of Department of Defence, 1919. Te Papa (GH016650)


  • Poster with the words 'Save the products of the land, each more fish - they feed themselves'

    Random and unintentionally funny, this poster is an otherwise solemn and beautifully rendered design by famous American wildlife artist Charles Livingston Bull.

    At a time when conservation of resources was of utmost importance, the self-sufficiency of fish made it an excellent natural product for conscientious consumption.

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    Poster, ‘Save the products of the Land’, 1918, United States, by Charles Livingston Bull, Heywood Strasser & Voigt Litho. Co., United States Food Administration. Gift of Department of Defence, 1919. Te Papa (GH016568)


  • Poster with the word 'Sir, don't waste while your wife saves, adopt the doctrine of the clean plate - do your share'

    Men were asked to do their share by eating everything on their plate and not leaving food to waste. Children received similar instructions during the war.

    This comical cartoon-style poster highlights the variety of designs employed by the Food Administration to run home its message. The disapproving stare of the waiter is just fantastic!

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    Poster, ‘Sir - don’t waste while your wife saves’, circa 1918, United States, by William Crawford Young, The W.F. Powers Co. Litho., United States Food Administration. Gift of Department of Defence, 1919. Te Papa (GH016310)