The White House goes green

I’VE JUST heard exciting news that gives me hope for the world. Michelle Obama plans to cultivate an organic vegetable garden on the south lawn of the White House.

This will convey a strong message to the American people about the importance of the food they feed to their families. The organic garden will provide food for the first family’s meals and for formal dinners at the White House, but according to Michelle Obama its most important role is “to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables, at a time when obesity and diabetes are a national concern.”

Too much food is empty calories, filling but not nourishing, so this initiative is all the more important. More than 65% of the American population are overweight and 31% are obese and at risk of chronic diseases. The Obamas, we’re told, love Mexican food; so there will be lots of coriander, tomatoes, chillies and peppers, a terrific selection of greens, including my pin-up winter vegetable, kale and fresh herbs. There will be fresh berries for puddings, so the White House chefs will have fresh, beautiful produce to cook with — 55 varieties in total.