President Barack Obama Joins First Lady Michelle Obama for Her Final White House Kitchen Garden Harvest
President Obama stopped by the First Lady’s final harvest of the White House Kitchen Garden for this Administration. After greeting the students from across the country and special guests who had joined Mrs. Obama for the harvest, he took time to admire the new table, benches, arbor, and entryway which the First Lady unveiled during the garden dedication on Wednesday.
President Barack Obama checks out a young girl's harvest as he joins First Lady Michelle Obama, students from "Let's Move!" programs and others participating in the fall harvest in the White House Kitchen Garden, Oct. 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama checks out a boy's harvest as he joins First Lady Michelle Obama, students from "Let's Move!" programs and others participating in the fall harvest in the White House Kitchen Garden, Oct. 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama check out a picnic bench and table during the fall harvest in the White House Kitchen Garden, Oct. 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
President Barack Obama talks with Debra Eschmeyer, Executive Director of "Let's Move!" and former Executive Director of "Let's Move!" Sam Kass during the fall harvest in the White House Kitchen Garden, Oct. 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
At the harvest, it was a reunion of folks who have worked with us on our Let’s Move! efforts over the years, from school nutrition to food marketing to physical activity. In fact, three people who were here at the very beginning to help get the garden started, former Let’s Move! Executive Director Sam Kass, Former White House Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses, and White House Grounds Superintendent Dale Haney joined in on the fun. In addition, the First Lady also had help in the garden from Sesame Street’s Elmo and Rosita, NASA Astronaut Kjell Lindgren, Al Roker of The TODAY Show, Ashanti, Alonzo Mourning, Farmer and CEO of Growing Power Will Allen, Burke County School Nutrition Director Donna Martin, and President of the Produce Marketing Association Cathy Burns.
But of course the most important helpers are the students! Throughout the last seven and a half years, the First Lady has invited kids to work with her on planting and harvesting the garden. Kids that currently participate in Let’s Move! programs joined for the final harvest as did students from two local D.C. schools who regularly help in the garden, Bancroft Elementary School and Harriet Tubman Elementary School. In fact, two former Bancroft Elementary students, Tammy Nguyen and Dorotea Debelack, who were at the very first harvest in 2009 also came back to help for this special reunion.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama join students from "Let's Move!" programs and others for a group photo after the fall harvest in the White House Kitchen Garden, Oct. 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Everyone was busy harvesting in the garden when the President stopped by. The First Lady and two students harvested sweet potatoes and then got a little help from Alonzo Mourning in the process. The other guests and students harvested a variety of different peppers, tomatoes, and beans in addition to okra, cucumbers, and eggplant.
First Lady Michelle Obama, Deb Eschmeyer, Executive Director of "Let's Move!" and students from "Let's Move!" programs participate in the fall harvest in the White House Kitchen Garden Oct. 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Deb Eschmeyer, Executive Director of "Let's Move!," Alonzo Mourning, and students from "Let's Move!" programs participate in the fall harvest in the White House Kitchen Garden Oct. 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
After the President’s visit, using the produce straight from the harvest, Mrs. Obama, White House chefs, the students, and special guests prepared a delicious Grilled Flatbread with Basil Puree and Garden Vegetables. Once the meal was complete, everyone sat down beside the garden to enjoy and eat together.
First Lady Michelle Obama, Susie Morrison, Executive Pastry Chef and students from "Let's Move!" programs prepare a meal after the fall harvest of the White House Kitchen Garden, Oct. 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Learn more about the various Let’s Move! programs and find out what’s happening around the country with this interactive map.
You can also learn more about the White House Kitchen Garden and follow along to see what’s growing on Instagram: @WHKitchenGarden.
In case you missed it, watch the First Lady’s remarks from the harvest below: