I really wish I was at the Knight Fellowship Food Science Boot Camp going on at MIT this week because I couldn't imagine a more pertinent time to be discussing the industry of food and agribusiness with folks like Marian Nestle and everyone else up there. Feel free to call and conference me in, guys. (I wish!)
As regularly discussed here on justsaying, the new administration has been incredibly receptive to once-considered revolutionary movement towards sustainability, biodiversity, and stricter safety regulations, and seems to be leaning away from the industrial and often hazardous model that has created a culture too reliant on convenience to bother purchasing peanut butter and jelly separately (also see here).
The NY Times published a wonderful article offering an overview about what's been going on in the movement, from Alice Waters, whose name has been floating around in conjunction with the White House kitchen, to Michael Pollan, who is, well, in my opinion, one of the pioneers of this "food revolution," and of course the Obama family.
Here's what I think is so great about all this: Right now eating organic and going green is trendy and as you all know, organic doesn't necessarily mean sustainable or the most eco-friendly AND trends don't always stick around for decades. So what we need are influencers and the Obama family has that power. Let's face it, there is an air of celebrity around our first family and celebrities have a major influence on the "now" generation. If they can keep up this momentum I truly believe the next few years will be paramount in shaping the future of the food industry and capturing the attention and interest of young minds whose future involvement and inertia is critical.
Showing posts with label White House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label White House. Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Hooray!!
Great news, everybody! The Obamas are planting a vegetable garden at the White House. I am so happy it actually brings tears to my eyes. Oh and... Need I point out that this, like the whoopie pies, could have happened because of my endorsement? Or that perhaps Michelle and I are clearly trendsetters? The NY Times reports:
While the organic garden will provide food for the first family’s meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at time when obesity has become a national concern.
In an interview in her office, Mrs. Obama said, “My hope is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities.”
Twenty-three students from a nearby middle school will be helping Michelle cultivate and eventually harvest veggies, berries and herbs in a 1,100-square-foot plot that will be visible from E Street. As for the rest of the first family, they will be pulling weeds throughout the growing season. Even Barack. Love this!
The decision to plant a White House garden carries political and environmental symbolism and a message that is not only healthful but, I believe, will encourage local, sustainable choices. Read the details here and here.
While the organic garden will provide food for the first family’s meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at time when obesity has become a national concern.
In an interview in her office, Mrs. Obama said, “My hope is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities.”
Twenty-three students from a nearby middle school will be helping Michelle cultivate and eventually harvest veggies, berries and herbs in a 1,100-square-foot plot that will be visible from E Street. As for the rest of the first family, they will be pulling weeds throughout the growing season. Even Barack. Love this!
The decision to plant a White House garden carries political and environmental symbolism and a message that is not only healthful but, I believe, will encourage local, sustainable choices. Read the details here and here.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Lovin' Michelle's Message!
Within her first weeks at the White House, Michelle Obama is gladly becoming the first lady of healthy, sustainable living. Not only is she encouraging fresh, local choices for her own family and publicizing that fact, she is urging Americans to bring fresh produce to those in need.
The NY Times reports:
“You know, we want to make sure our guests here and across the nation are eating nutritious items,” said Mrs. Obama, who served lunch to several homeless men and women and delivered eight cases of fresh fruit to the soup kitchen, all donated by White House employees.
“Collect some fruits and vegetables; bring by some good healthy food,” she said. “We can provide this kind of healthy food for communities across the country, and we can do it by each of us lending a hand.”
In her first weeks in the White House, Mrs. Obama has emerged as a champion of healthy food and healthy living. She has praised community vegetable gardens, opened up her own kitchen to show off the White House chefs’ prowess with vegetables and told stories about feeding less fattening foods to her daughters.
The NY Times reports:
“You know, we want to make sure our guests here and across the nation are eating nutritious items,” said Mrs. Obama, who served lunch to several homeless men and women and delivered eight cases of fresh fruit to the soup kitchen, all donated by White House employees.
“Collect some fruits and vegetables; bring by some good healthy food,” she said. “We can provide this kind of healthy food for communities across the country, and we can do it by each of us lending a hand.”
In her first weeks in the White House, Mrs. Obama has emerged as a champion of healthy food and healthy living. She has praised community vegetable gardens, opened up her own kitchen to show off the White House chefs’ prowess with vegetables and told stories about feeding less fattening foods to her daughters.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
White House "Kitchen" Cabinet
Definitely check out this excellent post by Tara Parker-Post on her Well blog today about newly appointed White House chef, Sam Kass' take on the sorry state of the National School Lunch Program. I agree with Alice Waters - a "kitchen cabinet"with folks like Sam could help change the national food culture!
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