In an effort to educate the American public about healthy eating, First Lady Michelle Obama broke ground today on a new organic garden on the South lawn of the White House.  Along with local elementary school students, she prepared the soil for the first working kitchen garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt’s "victory garden” during World War II.

Michelle Obama hopes that the garden can help people better understand where their food comes from and how to make healthier food choices to combat obesity in the United States. She also mentioned how getting her children, Sasha and Malia, involved in growing a vegetable garden makes them more curious about fresh fruits and vegetables and encourages them to try eating them.

Advocates for organic and locally grown food have long promoted the idea of kitchen gardens as a way for people to eat healthfully and cost-effectively in tough economic times.

If you are interested in starting an organic garden, call your local agricultural extension service or the USDA for resources. Share your ideas for healthy eating on Healia Communities or learn more about weight management.

_{Photo: Mr. Marshall, Flickr, Creative Commons}