Part 7/9:

As time passed, many camps established gardens, raising fruits and vegetables to supplement their rations. Notably, at Manzanar, artisans who had toiled on their farms before internment found ways to cultivate land and grow produce, including apples, pears, and a variety of vegetables. This self-sufficiency not only improved diets but also provided a source of pride and identity amidst the chaos.

Despite rising adeptness in growing traditional crops, the camps struggled with occasional food shortages. Rumblings of a rice shortage in 1944 stemmed from a surge in consumption, particularly during the celebration of mochitsuki, the rice-pounding ritual during the Japanese New Year, highlighting the resilience and cultural continuity of Japanese Americans even while imprisoned.