For those of us who believe the "Local Foods First" concept is a recent phenomenon, may be surprised to find out that it has always been a integral part of the American landscape. For example, at the end of 1944, the War Food Administration and the Department of Agriculture tallied up the successes of the Victory Garden programs: 18.5 million home gardens produced 40 percent of the nation’s fresh vegetables that year.

While helping the nation during WW II was a primary goal, a poll showed that getting better vegetables and saving money were also principal motivations. One gets the idea that the Victory Gardeners truly valued fresh vegetables and community spirit, and that these values are still alive in today's existing community Victory Gardens.

To learn more about how a return to Victory Gardens for food, community, exercise, and fuel conservation isn't such a bad idea, read the entire article in the May/June 2007 issue of the Touch The Soil magazine.