White House to Launch Farmers Market

The White House is launching a farmers market Thursday that will sell local produce from Washington, D.C., area farmers, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Ann Wright made the announcement Tuesday at the Chefs Collaborative conference in Chicago.

The market will operate late into autumn. First lady Michelle Obama, who has drawn attention for her organic garden, is not linked to the market. Most of the White House garden produce she grows goes to area food banks. But Obama has said she is supportive of the idea.

Last month, President Obama spoke about getting a farmers market started.

"You know Michelle set up that garden in the White House," he said. "One of the things we're trying to do now is to figure out, can we get a little farmer's market outside of the White House -- I'm not going to have all y'all just tromping around -- but right outside the White House."

The market may draw fire from "crop protection," pro-pesticide groups who assailed Obama's garden for its "irresponsible" pro-local and organic message.

Click here to read the article in the Chicago Tribune.