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First Lady Pushes Fresh Food

From White House to food banks, Michelle Obama advocates nutrition

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 11, 2009 9:02 AM CDT
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(Newser) – When Michelle Obama served lunch to the homeless last week in Washington, she didn't just praise the soup kitchen; she praised the menu. "We can provide this kind of healthy food for communities across the country," the first lady said of the mushroom risotto and apple-carrot muffins at Miriam's Kitchen. Advocacy for local food has become a major item on the first lady's agenda, the New York Times reports.

Laura Bush insisted on fresh, organic fare but did so with little fanfare. Obama, however, is making the White House kitchen into a national showpiece. Even the wine was organic at the president's first White House dinner. Nutritionists and chefs are impressed, though the first lady conceded that her daughters can put up resistance: "Sometimes kids are like, ‘It’s green!’"

Michelle Obama watches as Sasha, then 5, and Malia, then 8, get ice cream from Norm Small during a campaign stop in Berlin, N.H., Sunday, May 27, 2007.
Michelle Obama watches as Sasha, then 5, and Malia, then 8, get ice cream from Norm Small during a campaign stop in Berlin, N.H., Sunday, May 27, 2007.   (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Michelle Obama serves mushroom risotto to guests at Miriam's Kitchen in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2009.
Michelle Obama serves mushroom risotto to guests at Miriam's Kitchen in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Michelle Obama helps serve lunch during her visit to Miriam's Kitchen in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2009.
Michelle Obama helps serve lunch during her visit to Miriam's Kitchen in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Michelle Obama meets with students from L'Academie de Cuisine as they preview meals for President Obama's dinner with the state governors, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, at the White House in Washington.
Michelle Obama meets with students from L'Academie de Cuisine as they preview meals for President Obama's dinner with the state governors, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, at the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
riffran
Mar 13, 2009 6:21 AM CDT
well maybe she should re-write the public schools menu's..(pleas please!!!) .I graduated in 85, and the food was pretty good then, now a few years ago, (roughly 8-10), "they" (the ones in charge of that stuff at a legislative level) made the mandates for "healthy" food, and put out a list of do's and dont's, and now the food is so "healthy" it taste like crap and a lot of the kids won't touch it, so much for a good meal.. (our cafeteria had a bunch of "grandmas" doing the cooking, and NOBODY cooks like :grandma".....lol
AllisonMW
Mar 10, 2009 10:56 PM CDT
When I read the article about this homeless kitchen last week, I too was impressed with the healthier options. I also read that the White House donated 8 cases of fresh fruit to the shelter. This should be a good example for both homeless kitchens and even school/college cafeterias. The homeless kitchen at which I volunteer, does not really serve the healthiest food, though I see/know the recipients of the warm, filling meals are very grateful to get them. Maybe some of the restaurants, food service distributors, etc, should donate some of their fresh fruit and vegetables and healthier foods. Keep in mind: it's not just the fully homeless that are streaming into the kitchens nowadays; it's the working poor and some families as well (heartbreaking). They ALL deserve a healthy, nutritious meal.

The soup kitchen Obama visited
Miriam's Kitchen

More on Obama's surprise appearance at lunch
Washington Post

... and on the partisan blog-sniping that ensued
Huffington Post

 
organic food • Michelle Obama • White House • soup kitchen • first lady • organic wine • locally grown food

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