Good Food: An Inalienable Right?
I just want to add a few things to Laura’s post about the White House Garden.
This is big news. No, that that the Obamas are going to be eating fresh, organic food. It’s the symbolism of it all—sustainable food is going mainstream.
Even in this horrible recession, there seems to be no stopping the Slow Food, sustainable, local movement that has the potential to revolutionize the food business, invigorate local economies and return to the dinner table the kind of wholesome food that our grandparents and greatgrandparents ate.
I find it an odd coincidence that Michelle Obama’s announcement came just five days after Alice Waters was profiled on 60 Minutes, talking about sustainable agriculture and a White House garden.
During the program, Water says memorably, “I feel that good food should be a right….”
Of a White House garden, Waters said, “I think it says everything about stewardship of the land and about the nourishment of a nation,” Waters said.
CBS’ Leslie Stahl also asked Waters point blank whether she thought the White House would plant a vegetable garden. Waters replied, “Well, I’m very hopeful. I’ve always liked the idea of doing press conferences at the compost heap.”
Surely, the administration has been planning this garden for more than five days. Is it possible that Waters or the producers were tipped off?
Now this is the kind of conspiracy theory and White House leak I like.
By the way, in addition to the Dixie Classic Farmers Market and the one at Krankies, don’t forget the Downtown Farmers Market, which will reopen in May.
