FLOTUS, Michelle Obama will be at opening of a new DC Farmers Market

Yes, FLOTUS on that eating correct tip, and we ALL SHOULD BE...

First Lady Michelle Obama will be on hand Thursday for the opening of a new farmers market a few blocks from the White House.The market in the 800 block of Vermont won a permit with an assist from the White House. Sam Kass, assistant White House chef and food initiative coordinator, spoke in favor of the market during a community meeting a few weeks ago.

Kass, who was the Obama's chef in Chicago, was instrumental in creating Mrs. Obama's White House garden. He's a fan of farmers markets; I ran into him one Saturday a few months ago checking out the produce at an open air market on U Street near 14th.

Besides Mrs. Obama, other speakers at the FRESHFARM martket will be Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty.

From the White House: "This market will provide fresh fruits and vegetables, locally raised meats, cheeses, and fresh baked breads to the people in the neighborhood, including many federal employees from the White House, Veterans Affairs, GSA, the Export-Import Bank and the Treasury Department. As an employer, the White House is eager to encourage farmers' markets and other efforts to help achieve a healthier workforce since, as many private companies have demonstrated, making employee wellness a priority can save health care costs down the road and make for a stronger workplace."

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The Story of the White House Garden with Michelle Obama (Video)

Since ground-breaking and initial tilling in March, we've been documenting the progress of the first garden on White House grounds since Eleanor Roosevelt's Victory Garden during World War II. This new garden was planted with the help of local elementary school children and has yielded a constant supply fresh produce for the First Family and White House events. Hear and see the story of the garden first-hand from First Lady Michelle Obama and White House chef Sam Kass.



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FLOTUS, Michelle Obama back in that garden (Video and Transcript)

Transcript of Michelle Obama's remarks

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FLOTUS, Michelle Obama out plantin' in that garden

First lady Michelle Obama and students from a public elementary school in Washington are planting the first fruits and vegetables in the new White House garden.

They helped break ground for the plot on the South Lawn last month.

Spinach, salad greens, herbs and berries are among the crops being planted.

The fifth-graders from Bancroft Elementary tend to a similar garden at school. They will return to the White House for the harvest and to help cook some of the produce in the White House kitchen.

Some of the crops also will be served at the White House and donated to a local soup kitchen.

Mrs. Obama said her family has discussed planting such a garden since they moved to the White House in January.

White House Garden Diagram

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First Lady breaks ground for the First Garden

Twenty-six elementary schoolchildren wielded shovels, rakes, pitchforks and wheelbarrows to help first lady Michelle Obama break ground on a produce and herb garden on the White House grounds.

Among the crops to be planted in the coming weeks are spinach, broccoli, various lettuces, kale and collard greens, and assorted herbs. The planted produce will rotate with the seasons.

The first harvest is expected by late April.

Assistant chef Sam Kass says some of the produce will be cooked in the White House kitchen and some will be given to a local soup kitchen where Mrs. Obama recently helped serve lunch.

Mrs. Obama told the students that her family has talked about planting such a garden since they moved to the White House. She said her daughters, Malia and Sasha, like fresh vegetables better.

Mrs. Obama then led a cheer with the children, shouting, "Let's hear it for vegetables!" and "Let's hear it for fruits!"

The first lady joked with reporters, telling them to stop taking pictures and start shoveling.

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