By Courtney Cochran
The Obama administration is putting its resources where Americans' mouths are, so to speak, advocating sweeping changes in the way our nation perceives, grows and consumes food. To wit, healthy food advocates scored a symbolic victory in February, when newly appointed secretary of agriculture Tom Vilsack took a jackhammer to the pavement outside his headquarters to create his own organic "people's garden," also unveiling plans to create a sustainable landscape on the grounds of the long-stodgy USDA.
The Obama administration is putting its resources where Americans' mouths are, so to speak, advocating sweeping changes in the way our nation perceives, grows and consumes food. To wit, healthy food advocates scored a symbolic victory in February, when newly appointed secretary of agriculture Tom Vilsack took a jackhammer to the pavement outside his headquarters to create his own organic "people's garden," also unveiling plans to create a sustainable landscape on the grounds of the long-stodgy USDA.
Food Focus
Gourmet reports that staffers close to Vilsack say the move reflects a commitment on the part of the Obama administration to take a new look at the way communities use small urban spaces. And though food advocates including Alice Waters say it's just the tip of the iceberg - that, in fact, we need far more dramatic changes made to national food policy - it's undoubtedly a solid move in the right direction. Indeed, the American Community Garden Association reports that there are some 30 million community gardens in the US already, and the number is growing dramatically as a result of changing attitudes towards food and shrinking household budgets.
Come to think of it, we probably ought to add to that list "growing appreciation for the nation's food policy." ; Cheers to that.
Gourmet reports that staffers close to Vilsack say the move reflects a commitment on the part of the Obama administration to take a new look at the way communities use small urban spaces. And though food advocates including Alice Waters say it's just the tip of the iceberg - that, in fact, we need far more dramatic changes made to national food policy - it's undoubtedly a solid move in the right direction. Indeed, the American Community Garden Association reports that there are some 30 million community gardens in the US already, and the number is growing dramatically as a result of changing attitudes towards food and shrinking household budgets.
Come to think of it, we probably ought to add to that list "growing appreciation for the nation's food policy." ; Cheers to that.
Leave a comment