At this time in Europe and Asia was the WWII, were hundreds of thousands soldiers died every day, and thousands of females and males from 0 to 99 years died from hunger. Please think about it.

Todaro Bros. is between 30th and 31st streets. Pizzuro's (from what I remember of the name) was on the downtown east corner of 29th Street and Second Avenue. Across the street from the Boys Club. My grammar school was also on the same block (OLS). There was also a deli called Lucy's on the west side of Second Avenue and 29th Street. This was in the '60s. I think the actor Ben Gazzara lived on the block (before my time).

That Orange and Blue Stamp Program was apparently very controversial. What goes around, come around.

Tony, you're probably thinking of Todaro Bros., which is still there going strong.

I count four different varieties of figs represented on the labels of the boxes in the front row. Figs must be out of season, though, as the boxes are being reused for walnuts and onions. (Or perhaps these boxes predate the war -- not sure if figs were being shipped cross-country in wartime.)

10 years and 20 blocks down from where I grew up. There was another such place on 29th Street and Second Avenue. Anyone remember it? I can smell the aromas now!

Wonderful picture! I just walked back from Eastern Market on Capitol Hill, circa 2009, and I can tell you the prices above are a MUCH better deal. Incidentally, my Great Aunt Vita lived at the corner of 10th and First in 1943, where my aunts and uncles would spend the summer in the city. I'll have to ask them if they recognize anyone in the photo.

This one is gone, but there is an Italian Market around the corner on 10th Street. They sell a lot of the things seen in this photo. Diamond Walnuts are still around.

Oh! - and some pig's feet, some olives and a can of Baby, please!

Actually, this refers to the first US food stamp program in the 1940s to help farmers dispose of surpluses by bringing it to urban low-income folks. It differed from the rationing program.

What was the food stamp program advertised to help farmers?

[I think they were ration coupons. - Dave]