The Best Field Trip Ever: The White House Garden

Sam Kass

I am compelled to share this slightly off-topic experience because I feel so honored to have had the opportunity yesterday to tour the first lady's garden with White House chef, Sam Cass. I was presenting on marketing healthy foods to adolescents to a conference of food service managers and a trip to the White House happened to be on our conference agenda. And it was the best field trip ever.


A baby papaya tree.



It was a beautiful September day and after a little shuffling around the White House because of a helicopter landing and issues at security, we made our way through the garden and had the opportunity to ask questions. According to Mr. Cass, the Obamas like simple, fresh foods; ingredients come from the garden every night; while organic practices are used while gardening, the garden is not certified organic; and the glamour of being the White House chef eventually wears off.

After the White House tour, we headed back to the hotel for more presentations. A woman named Corey, whose job title is urban farm coordinator, gave an amazing presentation about farming at her Job Corps center. The center was awarded an ARRA grant to develop an acre of farmland on their inner-city property. On the farm, Corey, a friendly San Francisco native, not only grows all of the standard fruits, vegetables, and flowers, she also has a fish pond and a chicken coup. Corey also provides a much bigger service to the at-risk youth at her center; she uses the farm to teach them about growing food, healthy eating, and opportunities to decrease health disparities, like food deserts, in poor communities.

Admittedly, I have a bit of a black thumb. In fact, I made a joke about it several years ago and touched a leaf on a plant. A few weeks later, that leaf was dead. I'm not even kidding. But my trip to the White House (even if I didn't get to meet Michelle) and Korey's presentation made me want to get out there and rent a piece of an urban farm. Any tips for those of us who aren't naturals in the botanical world?