First Lady Michelle Obama made a trip to Chicago. News coverage pointed out that she was in the city for a fundraiser. Oh, by the way, they subtly mocked, she was here to talk about getting healthy food to food deserts.
Michelle Obama went to a Walgreens at 75th and State on the South Side to play up drug stores and supermarkets stepping up to add more fresh food to serve residents of food deserts. The First Lady spoke in front of mayors, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, her husband's former chief of staff. The trip also took her to an urban farm growing food to help give those in food deserts more and better options.
In watching the coverage, I wondered what would happen if Michelle Obama took a bus similar to what Sarah Palin did this summer, and go on a road trip to promote healthy eating.
Okay, so the logistics might be tougher. Secret Service detail can slow down any type activity, something Palin doesn't have to worry about.
Mrs. Obama knows Chicago really well, better than her husband. She knows generations of food deserts, long before the name for them. So speaking in Chicago is easier for her. It's just that her message of healthy eating needs to be heard in small and big cities throughout this country.
The first lady usually can go to and speak on matters that the president can't, mostly for political reasons. True, his political opponents have been rather mean to Michelle for promoting healthier eating. However, among the people, not the pundits, Mrs. Obama should be warmly received, and her message definitely needs to be heard.
Healthy eating, we all agree we should be doing it. I have improved my eating habits and I notice the school lunch programs have improved immensley during the 40 years I have been teaching. There is always more to do and I hope we all keep trying.
Posted by: groundhog.judy | March 03, 2012 at 01:00 PM