Michelle Obama's Harvest

Just a few months ago, we blogged about Michelle Obama's brand new vegetable garden. Well, it's harvest time! A group of local kids, many of whom had helped plant the garden this spring, harvested 73 pounds of lettuce, 12 pounds of peas--and one lonely cucumber.

The vegetable garden has become a powerful symbol of the First Lady's commitment to healthy eating. One of her aides tied it to the larger issue of health care reform: "We wanted to initiate a conversation about healthy eating...and [about] some of the more serious health outcomes, whether it's childhood obesity or increased risk of diabetes."

Legislation to reauthorize the National School Lunch Program is pending, and Mrs. Obama used the harvest to speak about its importance. "We need to improve the quality and nutrition of the food served in schools," she said. "In doing so, we can go a long way towards creating a healthier generation for our kids."

We wholeheartedly support the First Lady's efforts. And while it's not possible for everyone to start a vegetable garden, we can all make positive steps toward a healthier diet. MyPyramid.gov is a great place to start.