Patriotic fruit

During the Second World War, the Canadian government took steps to ensure that its soldiers and allies overseas did not lack food. Some foods were rationed to keep reserves for the soldiers. Others were in danger of overproduction due to the collapse of exports. Crossing the Atlantic was very dangerous, and easy-to-keep foods were preferred by the army. Apples and lobster were the first two products to be designated “patriotic.”

As of December 1939, the federal Department of Agriculture published advertisements such as the following:

Serve apples daily and you serve your country too.

Food will win the war.

You can help your country.