Over the years, the White House Kitchen Garden has grown in size from 1,100 square feet to 2,800 square feet/NPS

Whichever nominee is next to call 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home, they should have plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs readily at hand thanks to Michelle Obama, the National Park Service, and now the Burpee Foundation and the W. Atlee Burpee Company.

The seed company earlier this month made a $2.5 million donation to the National Park Foundation to help maintain the White House Kitchen Garden, which First Lady Obama started in 2009, long into the future. 

“The South Lawn vegetables, fruits, and herbs inspire people across the country to eat locally, mindfully, and healthfully,” said George Ball, chairman and CEO of the W. Atlee Burpee Company during a formal presentation of the donation. “Burpee is proud to continue our long history of inspiring gardeners by supporting the White House Kitchen Garden in one of America’s treasured national parks.”

The garden, located on the White House grounds, is maintained by the Park Service.  

“America’s national parks are a collection of unique elements and experiences. The future of these special places is dependent on vibrant and robust public private partnerships,” said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation. “Through their generous support, the Burpee Foundation and the W. Atlee Burpee Company gifts as sole supporters are ensuring that the White House Kitchen Garden will continue to demonstrate the importance of getting outside to garden and be healthy as we enter the second century of the National Park Service.”

Fall harvest at the White House Kitchen Garden/NPS

As part of its Congressional charter, the National Park Foundation partners with the National Park Service to identify priority projects in need of support across the National Park System. In this capacity, the Foundation is seeking to raise $350 million for programs and projects designed to protect America’s special places, connect people from all backgrounds to parks, and inspire future generations of national park stewardship. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $300 million toward this goal. 

The First Lady planted the White House Kitchen Garden to help start a national conversation about the health and well-being of the nation and its children. It eventually led to the Let’s Move! Initiative in 2010, which is dedicated to helping kids and families lead healthier lives. Gardens, specifically the White House Kitchen Garden, are meant to bring people together, give everyone a chance to work with and learn from each other, and form a stronger, more connected community.