[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/17/art.obamam.gi.jpg caption="Michelle Obama is continuing her efforts to make healthy food choices a priority amongst Americans."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - With health care on the minds of Americans across the nation, Michelle Obama is continuing her efforts to make healthy food choices a priority amongst Americans.
The First Lady celebrated with a crowd of several hundred people who braved the rain for the opening of the Freshfarm Farmers' Market Thursday in Washington, D.C., a market that supports locally grown produce and encourages people to eat healthier.
"All right, I have to say, I have never seen so many people so excited about fruits and vegetables," Obama told the locals. "This is a very, very good thing."
The First Lady was joined by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Washington, D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty.
"As we look at tackling some of the biggest health problems that our nation faces, like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and related issues like access to primary care and preventative health services, I've realized that little things like a garden can actually play a role in all of these larger discussions," she said.
After her speech, the First Lady took some time to make a few purchases of her own, including cherry tomatoes, black kale, mixed hot peppers, cheese and chocolate milk.
Thank you Michelle. Health care will always be expensive unless we learn to live healthier lives. It's a choice we can make but knowledge and more importantly encouragement has to come first.
The foods industry will continue to push heavily sugared, salted fatty addictive foods presently favored by many. The road to health lies in refusing to buy it.
Indeed, Americas failing health can be blamed on the rapid pace of our lives (allowed us by our employers).
Why is this news? What about the farmers in California? Too bad they can't have a farmers market because their liberal leaders are more concerned about a fish.
Ms. First Lady is someone almost every African American woman wants to be – and many JUST Women want to be!!! I am so proud of her!! Her spirit and charm is going to be a GREAT LESSON to all young women and teens... Thanks Michelle for being YOU!!