Michelle Obama
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White House loads policy initiatives into a few hours of fun at Healthy Kids Fair
Cross-posted from Obama Foodorama. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack watches Mrs. Obama make remarks at the opening of the Fair.Photo: Obama FoodoramaA challenge for change, and White House Chefs demo’ing delicious, nutritious recipes… The autumn sunshine was very bright, the weather unseasonably warm, and there was a party atmosphere at the White House for Wednesday’s […]
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Is Michelle Obama about to take on Big Food?
With all the talk of Michael Pollan and Jamie Oliver lately, it’s easy to ignore the person who right now is, given her current address, the most influential voice on food policy in the country. Naturally, I’m talking about First Lady Michelle Obama. While she’s been exercising what diplomats would call her “soft power” for […]
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Another Monsanto man in a key USDA post? Obama’s ag policy’s giving me whiplash
Like a tractor driven by a drunk, the Obama administration keeps zigzagging on food/ag policy–sometimes veering in the direction of progressive change, other times whipping back toward the agrichemical status quo. In the last couple of days, there’s been a sharp turn toward the status quo. As I reported yesterday, Obama plucked Islam “Isi” Siddiqui […]
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White House hosts farmers market
Michelle Obama at White House Farmer’s MarketPhoto: Obama Foodorama Cross-posted from Obama Foodorama. Despite rain and cold temperatures, today’s opening of the new White House Farmers Market drew quite a crowd. “I’ve never seen so many people so excited about fruits and vegetables!” First Lady Michelle Obama told the crowd gathered a few blocks from […]
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Quick thoughts on the USDA’s ‘Know Your Farmer’ program
What should we make of the USDA’s “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative, which the agency rolled out this week? USDA via FlickrAfter hearing USDA official Ann Wright’s remarks Tuesday in Chicago and reading through the press release, I’m both encouraged and skeptical. Speaking to attendees at the Chefs Collaborative Summit — an audience […]
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In dark times, back to the garden
While climate change rages ahead, the climate bill is flat on its back and the most progressive green on President Obama’s staff looks on the verge of being forced out of office for silly reasons. Let’s not talk about healthcare reform or Afghanistan. But … there’s an organic veggie garden! On the White House lawn! […]
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Top USDA official gets serious about local/regional food systems
Hope and fresh produce: Kathleen MerriganWith the climate bill gutted by Big Ag and stalled in the Senate, with health-care reform on the verge of collapse, prospects for real change in national politics are looking grim. Well, here’s some hope from what’s traditionally one of the executive branch’s most retrograde agencies: the USDA. USDA deputy […]
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Agrichemical industry steps up pressure on White House organic garden
Use our pesticide, or the spinach gets it.I’m no expert on the mafia, but I have seen the first two Godfather movies and Goodfellas, oh, a few times. One thing I’ve learned: “protection” is a major mob racket. It works like this: a thug drops by your shop monthly and makes small talk. You hand […]
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EPA administrator Lisa Jackson on The Daily Show
Jon Stewart had two green-related segments last night. First was an interview with EPA administrator Lisa Jackson: [vodpod id=Video.1622577&w=425&h=350&fv=autoPlay%3Dfalse] The second was a hilarious Samantha Bee bit on Michelle Obama’s organic garden and Big Ag’s opposition to it: [vodpod id=Video.1622682&w=425&h=350&fv=autoPlay%3Dfalse]
