The folks at Kitchen Gardeners International might not call it a duty, exactly. But the group — one of the organizations whose efforts led to the planting of a kitchen garden at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. this spring — argues that buying and eating locally bolsters American communities and economies even as it makes for a more healthful diet, all of which might strengthen the nation as a whole.
Flush with that recent White House success, KGI decided to wage a new campaign: The group asked the governors of all 50 states to “declare their food independence” by planning Fourth of July menus featuring foods from local sources. Among those who have agreed, according to KGI founder Roger Doiron, is Maryland’s Martin O’Malley, whose holiday meal will include Maryland crab cakes.
