The Spring White House Kitchen Garden Harvest

Posted by Kelly Miterko, Deputy Director, Let's Move! on June 07, 2016

Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed students from across the country to harvest the White House Kitchen Garden and prepare a fresh, healthy meal with ingredients straight from the garden. The First Lady invited back the students who participated in this year’s planting so they could see the fruits – and vegetables – of their labor.

The students from Wisconsin, Colorado, Louisiana, and Washington, DC, whose schools have inspiring garden programs, couldn’t believe how much the garden had grown since they planted everything almost exactly two months ago.

First Lady Michelle Obama joins students in the spring harvest of the White House Kitchen Garden, June 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

Earlier this year, Mrs. Obama kicked off an American Garden Tour to highlight the impact and benefits of diverse gardens throughout the country. All of the schools that the First Lady has either visited or hosted at the White House Kitchen Garden are leading the way providing students the opportunity to learn through first-hand experience that healthy food can be fun and delicious, and helping kids develop habits and preferences that will set them on a healthier path for the rest of their lives.

Mrs. Obama and the students were also joined by Author, Daytime Host and Child Nutrition Advocate, Rachael Ray, who is also a member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, and Tastemade’s Frankie Celenza.

Everyone excitedly headed into the garden to harvest a variety of seasonal produce, including lettuce, kale, spinach, fennel, corn salad, kohlrabi, broccoli, cauliflower, arugula, leeks, radishes, micro greens, rhubarb, snap peas, sugar peas, and turnips!

First Lady Michelle Obama joins students for meal preparation after they participated in the spring harvest of the White House Kitchen Garden, June 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Following the harvest, everyone joined the White House chefs to cook up a delicious meal with the produce they had just picked from the garden. On the menu was Spring Vegetable Curry with Warm Whole Wheat Roti and Crisp Salad with Honey Dressing. Once the meal was prepared, it was time to eat! Everyone sat down to enjoy the meal together beside the garden. Check out the recipe so you can try it at home!

First Lady Michelle Obama talks with students during a meal they prepared following the spring harvest of the White House Kitchen Garden, June 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

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