Saturday, January 24, 2009
Top Chefs Push Obama to Improve Food Policy
Former president George W. Bush rarely visited restaurants and didn't talk about what he ate. Obama, on the other hand, loves to dine out and enjoys tasting all sorts of foods. He is the president, and everything he says or does is influential. Even his dining habits can affect policy, food policy, that is. Rick Bayless, chef of restaurant Topolobampo, hopes that Obama will "recognize that we need to do what we can in our country to encourage real food for everyone". Although this is not as important as other things, foreign policy or the economy, for example, nutrition IS a huge issue in our country. Obesity is high, and most food is "over-processed, over subsidized and grown with no regard to the environment", which makes it "harder for small farms to make a profit selling more natural, nutritious food". Americans will hopefully also expand their horizons when it comes to what they eat. Even those who can not afford to eat at fancy restaurants (where food is locally grown, environmentally friendly, and nutritious), are encouraged to grow their own vegetables and pay attention to where their food comes from. Barber believes good food needs more publicity, and he hopes Obama and his wife will advertise what they are eating and what they are feeding their children, 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha. "A few small gestures from the president and first lady Michelle Obma could accomplish what many of the chefs have been working toward for years."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I definately think the majority of American diets should be looked down upon. Our country is made up of way too many fast-food joints etc. and not full of enough places that serve healthy, good tasting food. In places like Italy and France, having a McDonalds in their downtown food markets is like a disgrace. One can walk around Italy for hours and not spot one obese person because they take such pride in eating fresh, seasonal food. I think having an all around better diet for more people in our country can only lead to a better feeling of oneself. I think as more people indulge in food until they feel happy, the more unfit, unproductive, and selfish we become as a whole people. I think eating better would create more pride in our culture.
I definitely think that this is an important issue, especially with all of the extremely polluting or negative effects some ways of growing or manufacturing food have on the environment. Next time you go to a seafood restaurant make sure the salmon isn't farmed, as that is a notoriously bad thing for the environment. I think that the way our country is viewed from abroad is very much influenced by our food culture, because it is so connected to our daily lives. A nation full of fat people eating tons of chemicals and polluting the environment is not a very likeable one.
I think it's important for us to start eating healthier and more natural foods. It would be great if Obama did actually start influencing people to eat healthier.
Post a Comment