In response to the just-released meat-heavy Senate Farm Bill, the Physicians Committee is proposing a bold plan for better health: Convert the Reflecting Pool into a vegetable garden.

"The Senate Farm Bill gives short shrift to vegetables and fruits,” says Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC, president of the Physicians Committee. “It will increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.”

Watch a video of Dr. Barnard: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C92ZDDiNx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Following a $14 Million renovation, the Reflecting Pool has been plagued by numerous problems including out-of-control algae growth and chipping paint. The Physicians Committee, which counts 17,000 doctors among its membership, has proposed turning the algae-covered basin into a cornucopia of healthy foods.

“That would reflect well on all of us,” Dr. Barnard said.

The nearby Wangari Garden in Washington, D.C. provides an excellent model because it features a designated area where anyone is welcome to harvest seasonal berries, herbs, fruits, and veggies. These foods are part of a healthful plant-based diet that can help people improve heart health, prevent diabetes, and maintain a healthy weight, among other benefits.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in education and research.

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