The pending inauguration of Barack Obama has many food advocates hoping he somehow leads a radical makeover of the way food is grown, sold and eaten in America, according to a recent article in The New York Times. By all accounts, the newspaper said, Mr. Obama "looks like the first foodie president since Thomas Jefferson."
Of course, everyone has an agenda. Among the many causes, some are pushing for stronger food safety procedures, others for better treatment of farm animals, healthier public-school lunches, or less sodium-based diets for prisoners.
The problem is that although Mr. Obama has proposed changes in farm and rural policies and emphasizes the connection between diet and health, food policy overhauls haven't been a major part of his platform.
Still, foodies feel Mr. Obama "looks like their kind of president" if only because he possesses a "more sophisticated palate" than recent predecessors. They point to the fancy restaurants he frequents in Chicago; comments by his wife, Michelle, on the importance of organic food and a low-sodium diet for the family; and his past praise of Michael Pollan, the reform-minded food writer, among other things. But the article also points out that his ascendancy to presidency arrives as organic food has gone mainstream, cooking competitions are top-rated TV shows, and books calling for the drastic changes in the food system are best sellers.
"People are so interested in a massive change in food and agriculture that they are dining out on hope now. That is like the main ingredient," said Eddie Gehman Kohan, a Los Angeles blogger who started Obamafoodorama.com.
Said David Kamp, the author of "The United States of Arugula," on the modern gourmet-food movement, "This time we have a Democrat in office that seems to live the dream and speak the language of both food progressivism and personal fitness."
Policy-wise, more practical food advocates recognize the economy will be the big focus for his administration. But they also hope food policies will change as he tackles issues such as climate change, energy and health care.
"If he's serious about doing this, then he'll have to address the current problems of our food system, which are inextricably linked to these other problems," said Christina Schiavoni of World Hunger Year.
Some are at least hoping symbolism around healthy eating for the family arrives. For instance, Ruth Reichl, the editor of Gourmet magazine, hopes he appoints a prominent White House chef who cooks organic and local food, possibly from the presidential garden.
"What the president eats could have a major impact on everyone in the country," Ms. Reichl told the Times. "It's like the hat manufacturers being furious because J. F. K. didn't wear a hat, and suddenly everyone in America stopped wearing hats," she said. "It's that simple."
Discussion Question: What do you think of Barack Obama's potential to drive changes in America's food policies and diet? Is the country ripe for an overhaul in attitudes around food policy and eating behavior?