Dr. Ben Carson, who serves as President Donald Trump’s National Nutrition Advisor within the Department of Agriculture, has drawn attention after delivering remarks that critics label as incoherent about the notion of “food fresh from the ground.”
Carson, previously at the helm of Housing and Urban Development during Trump’s first term, made these eyebrow-raising comments while discussing the essential goal of ensuring children have access to fresh, nutritious foods.
At a Monday gathering in Washington named “Make America Healthy Again,” Carson stood alongside Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. to highlight new funding aimed at school meal programs.
However, the discussion took on a surreal turn when Carson referenced “sweet corn and hot dogs” as examples of produce that could be grown in the ground.
The administration’s “Harvest to Hallways” initiative aims to connect “more American farmers with local schools,” according to the government, and it contemplates investing as much as $70 million in upgrading school cafeteria infrastructure along with as much as $25 million in “Farm to School Grants” within this year.
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The plan will also supply states and school districts with new tools to deliver healthier, more nutrient-dense meals to children across the United States.
Carson spoke at the event as children gathered around the podium in front of him, Mediate reported.
He opened with an implausible tale about “whole milk.”
“I remember not too many months ago, Secretary Rollins and I went to a school, and we were giving the children whole milk. They were just so amazed. They said, ‘I didn’t know milk could taste this good!’” he insisted.
Then he drifted into a discourse about food that comes from the ground.
“And what if we introduced them to food fresh from the ground?” he said, detailing how he would educate them about “relationships with the farmers so they learn about the soil.”
He rambled on about teaching children irrigation techniques and the effect these practices have on crops, before sprinkling in a touch of poetry into his remarks.
“They get an opportunity to eat a tomato fresh off the vine,” he stated expressively.
But then he commented on food from the ground that isn’t from the ground at all, and that sent the internet into a frenzy.
“It’s a different food than you get in the store, quite frankly. Fresh sweet corn and hot dogs,” he told the crowd, provoking immediate mockery.
Social media exploded with ridicule directed at Carson, questioning his intellect, especially given his former status as a neurosurgeon.
“Is he really that dumb and out of touch?” an X user wondered.
Others piled on.
“What? Just f-ck’en what,” this poster quipped.
Another agreed, “He needs to have his head examined! Hot dogs don’t fit in any nutritional value discussions.”
Commenter Humphreee Go-Kart has a long memory. “These are the same knuckle draggers who criticized Michelle Obama for her vegetable garden meant to teach kids about nutrition.”
As childhood obesity rates climbed during the 2000s, the former first lady planted an organic vegetable garden at the White House and launched her “Let’s Move” initiative shortly after, including healthy eating cookbooks.
What appeared to be a straightforward, sensible campaign to promote healthier lifestyles for children sparked a backlash among some circles.
Agricultural lobbies, conservative media outlets, and conspiracy theorists broadly criticized her efforts.
Farming groups objected to her emphasis on organic and pesticide-free gardening, arguing that foods grown with conventional methods were cheaper, more wholesome, and more flavorful, Politico reported.
And of course, Big Agriculture wasn’t pleased, claiming that Michelle Obama’s promotion of organic and local gardening amounted to a slight against their commercial sectors.
