The students, all of whom were ten to eleven years old, received gardening kits and gloves and jars of honey from the White House beehives. Before the First Lady arrived, the National Park Service (NPS), which maintains the White House grounds, provided a tutorial on how to harvest and plant.

The First Lady spoke briefly to the children gathered in the garden, encouraging them to keep a healthy diet and eat fresh foods, then invited them to join her in picking and washing vegetables.

“Healthy, nurturing, and positive environments are instrumental in enhancing the well-being and mindfulness of all children,” Mrs. Trump said. “They learn so much through their surroundings and the White House Kitchen Garden is a prime example of how children can enjoy the outdoors and learn about healthy eating and living, while also gaining an understanding of the White House and its rich history. I was so happy to be able to celebrate healthy living through fun activities with these special children today, and I look forward to future events in the garden.”