Comments on: The Foodie-in-Chief and The First Locavore?

By: Christy

Christy — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:35:19 +0000

According to a recent book by a former White House executive chef (“White House Chef,” by Walter Scheib), there has long been a kitchen garden on the White House roof. I can’t remember if he planted it during his tenure as chef to the Clintons, or if it was there before him. But whether the president chooses to publically endorse gardening and locavorism or not, the chefs certainly have.

By: Harry

Harry — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:41:13 +0000

I agree with most of your points but there is one thing that bugs me – given the huge staff, large space, and vast pool of potential volunteers if the huge staff is already busy – why this is generally considered to be an effort on the Obama’s part. How hard is it to tell one’s staff to plant a veggie garden? The President and First Lady won’t be spending a lot of time weeding, and nor should they. They have unique placement and capabilities that they can best use mostly elsewhere. They should be spending a little well-publicized time in the garden to encourage the rest of us. (This is separate from family time spent there. With the pup, of course.)

Which raises the question that *really* bugs me: why did so many First Families NOT have one of these?

- Harimad
who just laid out 15 square feet so my offspring knows food comes from the ground

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:43:36 +0000

Freemo, when I said “everyone” I probably should have said, “everyone seems to” in a more general sense. Because, judging by the pervasiveness of the First Family in the media, I feel safe in saying that a whole lot of Americans, and in fact people of the world are pretty interested in all things Obama–to the point where I am boggled, even as a person who worked on the campaign and who voted for him.

I don’t see it as a cult of personality, however–I think it is the historic nature of his presidency that has people fascinated, and I think that is also natural in a time of uncertainty, for citizens to look up to a leader with hope. If you remember, after 9/11, people looked toward G. W. Bush the same way–and for a time, the man could do no wrong.

And, in the vein of what Zeph said–at least no one has intimated or even out and out said that if you disagree with this president or his administration, you are a traitor, as was said of our last administration. That sort of bluster to me, smacks more of “cult of personality,” than having your face on the cover of 12 magazines at the same time does.

And, frankly, I would have been just as excited if the Bushes had planted a kitchen garden in the White House lawn. Because, for me, the symbolism of it is what is working on people on a very deep level that can do some good for individuals.

That said–I know not everyone loves the Obamas–the country would be a boring place if we all agreed–and it doesn’t bother me a whit if you don’t read my posts on food politics. In fact, I think it is probably better than you don’t, and we just agree to disagree and leave it at that.

By: freemo

freemo — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:17:49 +0000

Oooh Zeph, did I touch a nerve? All I was suggesting is that not everyone is enamored of the Obamas…in response to Barbara’s statement that everyone is. But some people seem a little touchy.

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:21:45 +0000

I like the symbolism of it.

This afternoon I was out in the garden doing some VERY overdue weeding of onion grass, and I looked through the fence to what, for the past five years, I have been terming as “the wasteland.” My neighbors have tall, tall grass back there, which periodically they slash down and half-heartedly clear for planting. Nothing ever does in fact get planted. The grass just gets chopped and then gets tall. Today, in a (more than half-heartedly) cleared area I saw sweet little rows of lettuces and bok choys. Wow. I’m envious – they have lots of sun, and my whole yard is in shade. But there it is – a kitchen garden right next door.

I think more and more people are growing vegetables these days. And I hope the Obamas’ act inspires others to take the leap.