So long burgers and fries – visitors at 75 parks operated by the National Park Service will now be forced to buy healthier food options from park vendors as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative.
The NPS has partnered with the administration to introduce the “Healthy and Sustainable Food” program, in which foods like lentil soup, bison hot dogs, fish tacos, tomato soup and rainforest coffee will be available for purchase in those parks – replacing the traditional staples of burgers and pizza. Concessionaires will also provide more organic and locally grown produce options to patrons.
The program was introduced Wednesday at an event in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. White House chef Sam Kass and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell were on hand to offer samples of the healthy grub to those in attendance.
“There’s no reason you should have to take a vacation from healthy eating when you’re on a vacation,” Jonathan Jarvis, the director of the National Park Service, told USA Today.
Robert Anderson, a chef who works for Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts, added that people are more inspired to eat healthy foods while visiting the nation’s scenic parks.
“You get in this grand surrounding, and you’re inspired to eat healthfully. You don’t want to eat chips; you want good fuel,” he told USA Today.
“Let’s Move,” the first lady’s signature policy initiative, is designed to combat childhood obesity. She has already succeeded in forcing healthier food options down the throats of kids both in the school cafeteria and at popular restaurants like Olive Garden.
