Food

The eating facilities in the camps were large mess halls with long lines and crowded tables. Group living tended to erode family solidarity, as teenagers escaped parental authority by eating with friends rather than family. The quality of the food was poor and milk and fresh meat were constantly in short supply. Inexpensive foods such as wieners, dried fish, pancakes, macaroni and pickled vegetables were served often. The diets of the camp inmates improved only after they began growing some of their own food.

World War II (231)
Concentration camps (1434)
Food (237)

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237 items
War ration book four, OPA form R-145, Tomeyo Takano (ddr-csujad-42-121)
doc War ration book four, OPA form R-145, Tomeyo Takano (ddr-csujad-42-121)
A ration book issued to Tomoye Takano incarcerated at the Gila River camp in Arizona. Includes the instructions for use. Unused stamps remain. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_67_003
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fifth Community Council, 7th session (September 4, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-58)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fifth Community Council, 7th session (September 4, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-58)
The council minutes feature the report on the canceled order of food for the camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_087
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Third Community Council, 19th session (November 14, 1944) (ddr-csujad-45-3)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Third Community Council, 19th session (November 14, 1944) (ddr-csujad-45-3)
The council minutes feature a discussion on sugar distribution, and lecture on the advantages of resettling in the Midwest. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_032
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 8th session minutes (March 2, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-11)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 8th session minutes (March 2, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-11)
The council minutes feature a discussion on the surplus of food at the camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_040
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 19th session (April 3, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-21)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 19th session (April 3, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-21)
The council minutes feature a report on the possibility of a meat shortage due to the increase in meat rations to each person. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_050
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Third Community Council, 16th session (November 8, 1944) (ddr-csujad-45-2)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Third Community Council, 16th session (November 8, 1944) (ddr-csujad-45-2)
The council minutes feature a discussion on the possibility of the West Coast being reopened, difficulties for patients in obtaining timely optometry service, and the current food situation. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_031
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fifth Community Council, 15th session  (October 2, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-66)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fifth Community Council, 15th session (October 2, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-66)
The council minutes feature the request to look into the rice situation at the camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_095
Photograph of making mochi in a mess hall at Manzanar (ddr-csujad-47-77)
img Photograph of making mochi in a mess hall at Manzanar (ddr-csujad-47-77)
Photograph of women preparing mochi spheres in a mess hall at Manzanar incarceration camp. A group of women stand around a table separating and rolling the mochi into spheres with confectioners sugar. A child being held on the right side has streaks of the sugar on their cheek. Already prepared food can be seen on every …
Photograph of men washing dishes at Manzanar incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-47-25)
img Photograph of men washing dishes at Manzanar incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-47-25)
Interior scene at Mazanar incareration camp of 9-10 men unpacking plates, cups, and other tableware from metal containers. 3 men are in the foreground, 2 are leaning over a trashcan full of water, they have cups in their hand, 1 has a brush. The third man in the foreground has a towel in his hand, and …
Manzanar from the inside (ddr-csujad-48-62)
doc Manzanar from the inside (ddr-csujad-48-62)
Text of address by Roy Nash, Director of the Manzanar War Relocation Project, given to the Commonwealth Club of California, San Francisco, on July 31, 1942 for the purpose of "interpret[ing] the actuality of a War Relocation Center housing 10,000 evacuees" in view of perceptions of mistreatment of incarcerees in California. Sections of the speech include …
Food service at Manzanar (ddr-csujad-52-28)
img Food service at Manzanar (ddr-csujad-52-28)
Caption pasted on reverse of image reads, "FIRST MEAL IN NEW ALIEN CAMP, Japanese evacuated from their Los Angeles homes line up to receive their first meal after their arrival Mar. 24, 1942, in the alien reception center at Manzanar." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: hslb_npc_0032
[Cutting the cake] (ddr-csujad-56-211)
img [Cutting the cake] (ddr-csujad-56-211)
A group of incarcerees watch a woman cut a cake. Page 20 of Kawase Family Photo Album, Book One. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nbea08-03-020
[Incarcerees preparing food] (ddr-csujad-56-134)
img [Incarcerees preparing food] (ddr-csujad-56-134)
Photo of three people preparing food with two others standing next to them. A third young man is exiting the scene. Photo provided by Tak Kameoka. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nbea08-02-001
[Mess hall] (ddr-csujad-56-156)
img [Mess hall] (ddr-csujad-56-156)
Incarcerees eating in the mess hall. Photo provided by Tak Kameoka. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nbea08-02-023
O-OP canteen sale (ddr-csujad-7-22)
doc O-OP canteen sale (ddr-csujad-7-22)
Advertisement for sale at the camp's commisary. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMLSC_Canteen_Sale_P01
CO-OP canteen moving out sale (ddr-csujad-7-19)
doc CO-OP canteen moving out sale (ddr-csujad-7-19)
Advertisement for sale at the camp commissary at Amache. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMLSC_Co-op Canteen Moving Out Sale
John Kubota (ddr-csujad-8-31)
doc John Kubota (ddr-csujad-8-31)
Oral history interview with John Kubota. Information on the oral history project is found in: csuf_stp_0012A; Glossary in: csuf_stp_0014. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: FCPL Kubota, John
Camp meal ticket (ddr-densho-13-25)
doc Camp meal ticket (ddr-densho-13-25)
This meal ticket was required when a camp inmate wanted to eat outside his or her designated mess hall.
Japanese American preparing meal (ddr-densho-15-70)
img Japanese American preparing meal (ddr-densho-15-70)
Jim Shiga, well-known for his cooking skills, prepares a meal in the camp's warehouse kitchen.
Farewell dinner at Heart Mountain concentration camp (ddr-densho-242-22)
img Farewell dinner at Heart Mountain concentration camp (ddr-densho-242-22)
Caption on front: "Tom Sashikara Aug '44." Caption by Ike Hatchimonji: "Heart Mountain Aug. 1944. Caption reads: 'Farewell dinner for Tom Sashikara leaving for Cleveland, OH. Guy Robertson, the camp director and Mrs. Pryne were there.' K. Hatchimonji is seen on left with his hand on his chin."
Hand over garden (ddr-densho-242-20)
img Hand over garden (ddr-densho-242-20)
Caption on front: "My V garden in v.g. Area The hand of Mike Aug. 1944."
Man in a garden (ddr-densho-242-19)
img Man in a garden (ddr-densho-242-19)
For 16.1, 16.2, and 16.3. Caption by Ike Hatchimonji: "Heart Mountain Victory Gardens 1943-45. Organized by Kumezo Hatchimonji who supplied the Japanese vegetable seeds which were in storage after he left for camp. It was very successful because farmers were ablt to grow their favorite crops and supply them to the other internees. Kumezo is seen …
Victory garden (ddr-densho-242-21)
img Victory garden (ddr-densho-242-21)
Caption on front: "The V.G. sponsored by me in 1943. This picture taken in 1944, August."
Visitor's receipt for meals (ddr-densho-25-110)
doc Visitor's receipt for meals (ddr-densho-25-110)
In 1943, Mitsuo Iseri was on leave from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He visited Minidoka, and received this receipt for meals.
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