USDA unveils MyPlate icon to replace food pyramid

Northwest Report June 3, 2011 First Lady Michelle Obama, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin yesterday unveiled the federal government's new food icon, MyPlate, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices. The plate replaces the food pyramid.

The new MyPlate symbol suggests among other things, that Americans should make half their meal plates fruits and vegetables. Assuming that many more Americans decide to do that, could American farmers produce that much fresh produce?

“I do want to tell you we can. And we are looking forward to that opportunity.”

United Fresh Produce Association President Tom Stenzel at a Washington D.C . news conference yesterday. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the MyPlate campaign and others to encourage healthy eating, could provide better opportunities for many farmers, especially smaller scale producers.

Vilsack: “And giving people an opportunity to get into the farming business more easily. This offers yet another opportunity in addition to commercial size agriculture. In addition to the local food assistance programs we have in place.”

First Lady Michelle Obama said she likes MyPlate because it is simple and easy to remember.

Obama: “And trust me, we are implementing this in our household.”

Meaning of course, the White House. The First Lady says the First family has already talked about it.

Critics say this is just another example of the government trying to control what people eat. Secretary Vilsack says no to that.

Vilsack: “We are not suggesting that they should not ever have a cookie or a treat or whatever. That is not what this is about. What this is about is a nation that has an obesity issue.”

Now this Week’s Washington Grange Report.

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That’s the Northwest Report. I’m Bob Hoff on Northwest Aginfo Net.

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