Previously we discussed Michelle Obama’s organic garden at the White House and reactions to it. The following article hopes that her good example will inspire more people to grow their own food, as has happened before in times of need.
A Food Revolution in the Making From Victory Gardens to White House Lawn
Last month, First Lady Michelle Obama broke ground for a new vegetable garden on the South lawn of the White House. It’s the first time food will be grown at the President’s residence since Eleanor Roosevelt planted her Victory Garden during World War II. Back then, as part of the war effort, the government rationed many foods and the shortage of labor and transportation fuel made it difficult for farmers to harvest and deliver fruits and vegetables to market. The First Lady’s Victory Garden set an example for the entire nation: they too could produce their own fruits and vegetables. Nearly 20 million Americans answered the call. They planted gardens in backyards, empty lots, and even on city rooftops. Neighbors pooled their resources, planted different types of produce, and formed cooperatives - all in the name of patriotism.
I do have one quibble, with the first suggestion of how communities can help the food revolution: “Provide grants to towns and cities to build year-round indoor farmers’ markets.” Most towns wouldn’t need to build anything. They could just use one of the big buildings already standing empty. My rather small town has several empties that used to be grocery stores or department stores. Grants might be useful in terms of renting or buying a building, but a far better idea would be to let owners donate buildings and write it off on their taxes. That approach doesn’t require cash to change hands, which facilitates business at a time when cash is scarce; and it raises the chance of putting a building back into use before it becomes unusable due to prolonged vacancy.
Other than that, most of the ideas are excellent. We should be doing everything we can to encourage localized and personal food production. Even if your space, health, finances, or other concerns limit what you can do, every little bit helps. I can’t handle much in the way of vegetable gardening, but I grow a fair selection of herbs and a substantial amount of fruit. And I swap extras with friends when I can.
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Palma | Buddha Trance 05.07.09 at 4:56 pm
I have a friend with a green thumb who grows his own vegetable garden, and it is a delight to taste all the organic veggies that he gets! There is so much available, that we always come home with bags full of free goodies. Another great advantage of having your own veggie garden, is that you really get in sync with the seasons, eating only what grows naturally. This is of great benefit to our health.
It is true that there are so many unused buildings that could be transformed into great farmer’s markets. They could even become a place where one could swap or sell the extra veggies from their own private garden, and earn a little from it.
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Elizabeth Barrette Reply:
May 7th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
There is so much available, that we always come home with bags full of free goodies.
You are so lucky to have a friend like that! We trade with other gardeners too.
They could even become a place where one could swap or sell the extra veggies from their own private garden, and earn a little from it.
Large farmer’s markets often have a set grid with a table fee, but small ones are usually casual: show up and sell what you have. I like the idea of a swap market for produce, though, or even a swap corner at a farmer’s market.
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