Jun 5, 2012
White House Chef to Speak at OFA Short Course

White House chef to discuss the importance of gardening and healthy lifestyles at OFA Short Course on July 16, in Columbus, Ohio.

Sam Kass, White House Assistant Chef and senior policy advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, will be a keynote speaker at 2012 OFA Short Course on July 16,.

Kass will bring an enthusiastic message about gardening and planting home-grown fruits, herbs, and vegetables.

Kass said, there is a “…national conversation that has been started about the need for all of us to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and ensuring that everyone has access to fresh produce in their neighborhoods – key components of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative which is an effort to tackle the problem of childhood obesity in this country.” Gardening is an integral part of the program.

According to the Let’s Move! program, over the last three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America is overweight or obese.

Michael V. Geary, CAE, chief executive officer of OFA said, “The horticulture industry can play an important role in helping to solve some of society’s greatest problems. Plants are more than just pretty. Research has shown that plants, flowers and trees, are important to our health in a variety of ways.”

Kass is the second keynote speaker at this year’s OFA Short Course. On Sunday, July 15, Joe Lamp’l (a.k.a. joe gardener®) will speak about ways to find and influence the ever elusive consumer in today’s market.

Both events are open to all Short Course attendees.

You can find additional information on OFA Short Course at http://ofashortcourse.org/