Michelle Obama invited 5th graders from the Bancroft Elementary School to help her harvest fresh vegetables from the White House Garden, which they helped plant earlier this spring.  Having just come back from harvesting some lettuce, cucumbers and herbs from my community garden plot, I can relate to the immense satisfaction the students must have felt after seeing the delicious results of their hard work.  I’m so excited about the First Lady’s commitment to showing kids the importance of growing your own food and eating a healthier diet.  It’s one thing to “just say no” to what is bad for us, but an inspired leader can best instill lasting healthy habits by getting her hands dirty.

Together Mrs. Obama and the students picked lettuce and sweet peas from the organic garden and later went to the White House kitchen to help prepare a healthful meal with their produce.  The more we can help kids make the vital connection between eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and feeling healthier and happier, the closer we will come as a nation to battling the growing epidemics of obesity and diabetes.  And while gaining access to fresh produce is often difficult for some families in underserved areas, Michelle praised community gardens for “taking matters into their own hands.”

Photo: dcJohn’s flickr photostream (creative commons)