Yes, We Can: The Obamas To Plant White House Vegetable Garden
The “Eat the View” campaign, thousands of concerned citizens, and notable figures in contemporary food movements (Alice Waters, Michael Pollan…) helped make the dream of an edible landscape on the White House lawn a reality. Today, 23 fifth graders from a local elementary school, which has had its own garden since 2001, will help [...]
March 20, 2009
Tags: Barack Obama, change, farmers, food event, green, heroes Posted in: Health, Politics 
One Comment
Obama Addresses Nation’s Food Safety
President Obama has said before that food safety is important to him. His radio address this past Saturday demonstrates that he is willing, rather literally, to put his money where his mouth is. In his speech he outlined the many issues befouling contemporary food safety regulation and defines part of the solution. [...]
March 16, 2009
Tags: agriculture, Barack Obama, FDA, food event, food safety, heroes, policy, USDA Posted in: Health, Politics No Comments
Food Safety and Big Government
When I read headlines like “Peanut Recall Wipes out Energy Bar Company,” it confounds me to see that there are still people that who complain about regulations being bad for business in all cases. They continually insist that governmental oversight is bad for both everyday citizens and businesses. However, the lack of oversight [...]
February 23, 2009
Tags: Barack Obama, FDA, food event, food safety, Health, melamine, policy, USDA Posted in: Health, Politics One Comment
A White House Garden, Part II: Cuba Shows US The Way?
Although it wouldn’t be an efficient way to feed the first family and guests, a White House garden would remain a potent symbolic gesture of progressive, green action. Â It would demonstrate the seriousness of our new president’s perspective on greenhouse gases and global warming. Â A modern White House garden would invoke an image of [...]
February 3, 2009
Tags: Barack Obama, energy, farmers, global warming, green, greenhouse gases Posted in: Politics One Comment
A Garden On The White House Lawn, Definitely A Shovel-Ready Program
At a time when every carbon footprint is being measured and accounted for, the White House Administration need only look out the many windows of their mansion to see their own big contribution to global warming. Â Encompassing about 18 acres, the White House grounds are manicured with more precision than the most posh country club [...]
February 2, 2009
Tags: Barack Obama, carbon footprint, farmers, green, greenhouse gases, Michael Pollan, USDA Posted in: Fun Food Facts, Politics 2 Comments
Vilsack Lays Out Menu For Change In The Agriculture Department
Vilsack Lists His Priorities as Agricultural Secretary: Â A Play-by-Play Analysis
The text is taken from the USDA’s own news release (link):
“In keeping with President Obama’s recent pledge to make government more transparent, inclusive, and collaborative, I would like to pursue an extended comment period so that more farmers and other individuals can participate in this rulemaking [...]
January 27, 2009
Tags: agriculture, Barack Obama, change, farmers, green, policy, USDA Posted in: Politics 2 Comments
Food Activists, Sepcial Interest Groups Need to Hold Their Horses
Don’t Stampede Obama for Not Keeping His Promises Just Yet
Barack Obama alluded to Michael Pollan’s letter to the next “Farmer-in-Chief” during his interview with Joe Klein. Â He recognized that our agricultural methods and the way we eat are at the crux of our nation’s health, energy crisis, and security (link). Â Thus, foodies and sustainable food [...]
January 26, 2009
Tags: Barack Obama, change, farmers, green, policy Posted in: Politics No Comments
You Voted for Change, Now Vote for What Kind
At Change.org you can vote on what you think are the most pressing issues Obama’s administration should focus on, including agricultural policy, with Ideas for Change in America. Here is how the website describes the project:
What is Ideas for Change in America?
Ideas for Change in America is a citizen-driven project that aims to identify and [...]
January 8, 2009
Tags: agriculture, Barack Obama, change, policy Posted in: Politics Comments Closed
White House Wine Always a Winner
Sometimes food and politics come together in unexpected ways. Â When Nixon made his historic visit to China in 1972 he brought with him a Schramsberg sparkling wine. Â After the “Toast to Peace” in Beijing, the wine has been served by every subsequent administration, and as one could guess, this little Californian winery has become rather [...]
December 22, 2008
Tags: alcohol, Barack Obama, food, food event, policy Posted in: Fun Food Facts 2 Comments
New Agriculture Secretary a Trick up Obama’s Sleeve?
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Obama wanted to tackle wasteful crop subsidies, so he selected Iowa governor Tom Vilsack? Tom Vilsack is a representative from one of the most heavily subsidized states in the Union, and he wholeheartedly endorses the failed corn ethanol project. Is he just going to give up on corn and other crop subsides just [...]
December 18, 2008
Tags: agriculture, Barack Obama, green, policy, subsidies Posted in: Politics One Comment
