First Family's Garden Challenges Nation to Eat Locally Grown Produce for Healthy Diets and Fuller Wallets
Posted: 3/25/2009
PITTSBURG, Kan. - March 25, 2009 - First Lady Michelle Obama broke ground last week on the South Lawn in preparation for the White House's first vegetable garden since First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's 1943 Victory Garden. Coined a 'Recession Garden' by the media, the First Family's veggie garden is meant to teach American families about the health benefits and economic impact associated with eating locally grown fruits and vegetables.
The First Lady told O Magazine in its April issue that the garden will be used "as a point of education, to talk about health…how delicious it is to eat fresh food, and how you can take that food and make it part of a healthy diet."
Considered a symbolic 'groundbreaking' for the nation, the White House garden is expected to inspire millions of American families to grow by example. Backyard Leisure™, LLC, distributors of the patented Backyard Botanical™ Complete Gardening Systems and one of the world's leading producers of wooden residential outdoor playsets, predicts that the gardening industry will see a surge in sales as consumers look for ways to replicate the White House 'Recession Garden' in their own backyards. According to the Associated Press, a recent survey conducted by the National Gardening Association predicts a 19 percent increase in home gardening in 2009; the organization found that one-fifth of respondents were already gardening to save on groceries.
"The First Family's garden coupled with consumers increasing desire to eat organically and save money means that we'll be seeing more and more Americans gardening this spring and summer," said Tom Prichard, president, Backyard Leisure™. "Since not everyone has a yard the size of the South Lawn, consumers will be seeking gardening solutions that are self-contained and easily maintained. Backyard Botanical™ gardening systems make it easy for the average consumer to successfully grow a garden, no matter the size of their outdoor space."
For consumers looking to follow the First Family's example, Backyard Botanical™ Complete Gardening Systems give gardeners all the tools they need to grow fresh, homegrown fruits, veggies and herbs right in their own backyards. The systems are ready-made vegetable gardens that make gardening accessible, convenient and easy for the average consumer.
Brand new in 2009, Backyard Botanical™ gardening systems are available in two sizes - the 8'x8' Oasis (perfect for homeowners) and the 4'x4' Eden (sized just right for city dwellers). Up and running in about a day, the gardening systems make it easy for hesitant, time-constrained consumers to grow fresh, organic produce.
Lisa Singer, gardening expert and inventor of Backyard Botanical™ ready-made vegetable gardens, faced the same frustrations that many gardeners face today - backbreaking work and disappointing results. Keenly aware of the remarkable health and financial benefits for her family, Singer persevered and invented Backyard Botanical™ ready-made, raised vegetable gardens so other families could reap the benefits of gardening.
"There's no better way to start regularly consuming fresh vegetables and fruits than harvesting them in your own garden," said Singer. "The White House garden couldn't have come at a better time as America faces issues like childhood obesity, diabetes and how to tackle educating the next generation about the importance of diets rich in fruits and vegetables."
Continued Singer, "The Backyard Botanical™ gardening systems also contribute to a family's bottom line and promote dietary safety. In light of recent food recalls, more and more consumers are expressing concern about where their food originates and how carefully it has been processed. The Backyard Botanical™ Complete Gardening Systems eliminate worries about origin - vegetables and fruits simply travel from backyard to table instead of travelling 3,000 miles to top salads or sandwiches."
About Backyard Leisure, LLC
Backyard Leisure, LLC, based in Pittsburg, Kansas is a private equity owned family company that's kept family in mind since 1968. Backyard Leisure offers products that promote exercise, imagination, and plenty of family fun and leisure. One of the world’s leading producers of wooden residential outdoor play sets, Backyard Leisure manufactures cedar and redwood play sets and other backyard products under the following brand names: Create-N-Adventure™, Adventure Playsets™, Backyard Adventure™, Leisure Time Products™, Backyard Builders™ and Politron™. The Company also markets Backyard Botanical™ Complete Gardening Systems, ready-made vegetable gardens that allow the average consumer to produce fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs right in their own backyard.