 Valued at $100 million in 1943, Oakland's canning industry was its second-most-valuable war contribution after shipbuilding.The largest canneries were in the Fruitvale District, and included the Josiah Lusk Canning Company, the Oakland Preserving Company (which started the Del Monte brand), and the California Packing Company.President Franklin D. Roosevelt called on defense industries with government contracts to integrate their workforces and provide opportunities for all Americans.