Last month, First Lady Michelle Obama broke ground for a new
vegetable garden on the South lawn of the White House. It's the
first time food will be grown at the President's residence since
Eleanor Roosevelt planted her Victory Garden during World War
II. Back then, as part of the war effort, the government
rationed many foods and the shortage of labor and transportation
fuel made it difficult for farmers to harvest and deliver fruits
and vegetables to market. The First Lady's Victory Garden set an
example for the entire nation: they too could produce their own
fruits and vegetables. Nearly 20 million Americans answered the
call. They planted gardens in backyards, empty lots, and even on
city rooftops. Neighbors pooled their resources, planted
different types of produce, and formed cooperatives -- all in
the name of patriotism. By the time the war ended, home
gardeners were producing 40 percent of the United States'
produce. They aided the war effort by creating local food
networks that provided much needed p