Headquartered just three blocks from the White House, United Fresh staff could almost hear First Lady Michelle Obama leading the cheer "Let's Hear it for Fruit! Yay! Let's Hear it for Vegetables! Yeah!" last Friday morning after ground was broken at the new White House Vegetable garden.

White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford and students from Washington's Bancroft Elementary helped to break ground on the first modern vegetable garden on the residence's south lawn. The event has emphasized Mrs. Obama’s campaign to improve the eating habits of all Americans, starting with the youngest.

"In 20 years of produce industry experience, I have never seen a First Lady take this much of a public role in encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption" said Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, United Fresh vice president of nutrition and health. Her cheering for fruits and vegetables has the potential to do wonders for our America's children and our industry. We've come a long way from dumping truckloads of broccoli on the south lawn."

For video of the event, courtesy of the Washington Post click here.