Home garden at the White House

Setting an example for a healthier America, I hear President Obama has had part of the White House lawn torn up for a garden.

I'm all for it. Could be a "shovel ready" way to improve health and reduce health care costs.

Also makes good fodder for March 26 Dianne Rehm show on Healthful Food. Problem is people keep getting derailed into arguments between "organic" versus "non organic."

I usually prefer non organic when it's less expensive. Apples, carrots and salads are healthier than the diets of so many folks, even if it isn't certifiably grown to organic standards. Sometimes lower food cost improves availability to wider range of incomes.

They talked about the problem of junk food being the only thing convenient to many neighborhoods; inner cities for instance (these days, inner city can mean expensive neighborhoods though).

How about suburban "so called" trailer trash areas?

When an AM / PM mini mart is the only place within miles, it can be hard to find things like apples. One can get potato chips, soda pop, candy, coffee, beer and cigarettes.

I often shop at the downtown Bellingham Food Co-op, but usually buy non organic if it's available and cheaper.

The co-op is known for good produce, but produce can need preparation. To keep things simple, I often just buy an apple, a carrot and a banana which can be eaten like candy bars. I also get salad greens which I eat out of the plastic sack.

Could grab a plate, but it's more putter.

My home is a room without kitchen.

Wish downtown Co-op was like Cordota Co-op with a salad bar, but I make due.

Downtown is near where I live, other supermarkets with big produce sections tend to be out by the freeway. Out in all that unhealthy sprawl.

I don't have garden space, but one can still eat healthier things than diets of junk food.

Garden space and fancy kitchens shouldn't be prerequisites for health. Also "yuppie boutique organic" shouldn't be a prerequisite.

Maybe "organic" is good for the environment, but regular produce, over junk food is a step in the right direction. I sometimes buy organic. Often the price isn't that much different.

Bellingham offers community garden space for those of us who don't even have large window boxes. If I had the time, I'd garden, but it's not high on my priority list.

More power to Obama's garden, however.

Hope people don't feel like it's all for the "elitist crowd" who can shell out more money for organic, have access to land, gardens and fancy kitchens.