See more objects with the tag graphic design, war, propaganda, food, political poster, government, focus, World War II.

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Object Timeline

-0001

1943

  • Work on this object began.

1987

  • We acquired this object.

2014

2015

2025

  • You found it!

Poster, Food Is a Weapon

This is a Poster. It was published by Office of War Information. It is dated 1943 and we acquired it in 1987. Its medium is lithograph on paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

This poster shines a spotlight on a plate of chicken bones, pulling drama from mundane circumstances. The arresting headline heightens the emotional intensity.

This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Cleaning Your Plate for Your Country.

This object was donated by Unknown donor: unsolicited gift. It is credited Gift of Unknown Donor.

Our curators have highlighted 6 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Print, Aim High!
  • offset lithograph on glossy white paper.
  • Museum purchase with funding provided by the Buddy Taub Foundation, Dennis A.....
  • 2016-54-55
  •

Its dimensions are

H x W: 57.8 × 41.6 cm (22 3/4 × 16 3/8 in.)

Cite this object as

Poster, Food Is a Weapon; Published by Office of War Information; USA; lithograph on paper; H x W: 57.8 × 41.6 cm (22 3/4 × 16 3/8 in.); Gift of Unknown Donor; 1987-24-23

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition How Posters Work.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-3.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18622267/ |title=Poster, Food Is a Weapon |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=3 November 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>