Update: The Kitchen Garden tours are now available regardless of school zipcode; read this postTrading whisks for walks...
In a continuing effort to spread the word about growing your own and health and nutrition, the White House has announced that it will be opening First Lady Michelle Obama's Kitchen Garden for tours by DC school children, twice a week. In a swell move that highlights the connection between gardening and knowing how to cook as part of a healthier lifestyle, White House chefs will lead the tours. They'll be excellent guides, because the chefs are all very familiar with the garden; they've harvested more than 350 pounds of vegetables from it since last Spring. Starting immediately, most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30 AM, elementary, middle and high school students from the DC area who go on the garden tours will get the chance to see the garden and the White House beehive, and there'll be an explanation of what is currently being cultivated and growing practices--as well as fun tips on nutrition. The garden tours are part of Mrs. Obama's ongoing campaign to both promote healthy eating and combat childhood obesity. (Above: Mrs. Obama working in the garden with help from local students)
Above, some of the new White House tour guides: From l, pastry chef Susan Morrison; assistant chef Tafari Campbell; executive sous chef Tommy Kurpradit; executive chef Cristeta Comerford
White House assistant chef and Food Initiative Coordinator Sam Kass oversees the Kitchen Garden, and he's on the list for tour guide duty, too (Kass, at left). The garden was planted last Spring as part of an effort to start a national dialogue on health and nutrition. Fifth graders from DC's Bancroft Elementary School worked in the garden with Mrs. Obama, which brought much attention to edible school gardens and community gardens. And after just a little more than six months, the project has turned into an international event, with Mrs. Obama noting recently that the garden is "one of the greatest things I've done in my life." The huge amount of produce that's come from the 1,100 square foot garden has been used for White House m
eals, and has been donated to the soup kitchen at DC social services agency Miriam's Kitchen, where members of the First Lady's staff are regular volunteers. The White House beehive is expected to produce about 100 pounds of honey this year; in addition to being used by White House chefs, honey from the hive was included in the dignitary gifts given to the spouses of world leaders attending the G20 Pittsburgh Summit 2009 two weeks ago. Since May, a number of school groups have toured the garden, and student volunteers have also worked in the White House kitchen. (The White House beehive, above)The Kitchen Garden tours are currently limited to school groups from the DC area, with no more than 30 students at a time, and no more than one adult chaperone for each seven children--so that's the magic number of 34 people, maximum. The tour does not include an indoor tour of the residence, and applicants are encouraged to apply up to three months in advance; for an application and more information click here. There's a little box on the application that asks if your school has a veggie garden already in the works, or a healthy eating program as part of the curriculum, too.
Above: The Kitchen Garden, a few weeks ago.
Related: A video about the Kitchen Garden, narrated by Mrs. Obama and Sam Kass, is here. Mrs. Obama just received a special commendation for the Kitchen Garden, and she will appear on the season premiere of Sesame Street, gardening with kids and Muppets; there's a video here. In May, there was a special Kitchen Garden harvest; recipes from the Harvest Picnic are here. Mrs. Obama's remarks from the event are here.
Photos: Mrs. Obama photo courtesy of the White House; other photos by Obama Foodorama.
