Lustables: Old School Victory Garden Posters for Today’s Homefront

Channeling historical  propaganda posters in the name of modern day social progress. 

A long time ago, before food became so industrialized and corny, Americans expressed wartime patriotism through Victory Gardens. Kind of like freedom fries, with the exception that actual vegetables were planted during the two world wars to help feed civilians and troops. The government, private foundations, businesses, schools, and seed companies (Monsanto was busy in the production of sacharine and DDT at this time in history) all worked together to provide the necessary resources and instruction to help communities to grow food.

Posters and advertorials got the word out, and history tells us that it was a phenomenal success. Some 20 million Victory Gardens were planted during WWII, but popularity eventually waned. Activist designer Joe Wirtheim is hoping to renew that fervour, building on the momentum of the contemporary urban gardening and homesteading movement, with his project The Victory Garden of Tomorrow.

Wirtheim works out of a small studio in Portland, Oregon and creates graphic posters that recall old-time wartime imagery.

Posters ($14) are printed on recycled paper, hand pulled screen prints ($40) are printed on paper made in the U.S.A.

Also available in vintage flour sack towels, organic tee shirts, badges and postcards.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

 

K. Emily Bond

K. Emily Bond is the Shelter Editor at EcoSalon and currently resides in southern Spain, reporting on trends in art, design, sustainable living and lifestyle.