During World War II, many people in European countries were without food. Stories are legend about people who were forced to eat their dogs. In the United States, concern about enough food for Americans and the rest of the world remained uppermost in the President’s mind - even after the war.
Recycled metal and paper were also indispensable for the war effort. Half of all metal used to produce ships, tanks and guns was scrap metal.
Posters admonishing people to share, recycle and avoid waste cover the range of products - from food to fuel:
But all the weapons in the world would be to no avail if the enemy found out the Allies’ plans.