Potato Reclamation

Obviously, when it comes to potatoes, people are not willing to give them up without a fight. Perhaps that accounts for the White House throwing down the white flag of truce when it comes to acceptance of the humble potato. After an aggressive PR campaign from potato state lawmakers and the National Potato Council, potatoes are welcome once again in U.S. school cafeterias. Last October, Congress passed an amendment, which reversed legislative language that would have limited the number of servings of potatoes in public schools to two per week. Now, they’ve been included in the White House garden. On March 26, First lady Michelle Obama and children from around the country planted five potato varieties in the White House Kitchen Garden, now in its fourth year. NPC Executive Vice President and CEO John Keeling said after the planting of the White House garden that, “America's potato growers are excited the first lady is helping educate children that healthy eating includes nutrient-rich potatoes”. As well they should be. It’s been a couple of rough years for those in the potato industry, but its looking like good common sense will finally prevail when it comes to the nutritional potato.