Democratic Convention Update: Organic Fanny Packs and a Ban on Fried Food

Katherine Mangu-Ward | June 25, 2008

In case you were worried about how Democratic convention planning is going in Denver: Don't worry. A "Director of Greening" has been hired, so everybody can relax.

The Wall Street Journal reports on the Democratic convention's "lean 'n' green" catering rules:

No fried food. And, on the theory that nutritious food is more vibrant, each meal should include "at least three of the following colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple, and white." (Garnishes don't count.)

But everything isn't always sunshine and radicchio in Denver:

The host committee for the Democratic National Convention wanted 15,000 fanny packs for volunteers. But they had to be made of organic cotton. By unionized labor. In the USA.

Official merchandiser Bob DeMasse scoured the country. His weary conclusion: "That just doesn't exist."

Ditto for the baseball caps. "We have a union cap or an organic cap," Mr. DeMasse says. "But we don't have a union-organic offering."

I'm sure Ms. Robinson will be able to handle these challenges. After all, what better preparation could there be for running the Verdant Directorate than a degree in environmental studies from UC Santa Barbara, a guest role as "Barbara" on West Wing season 3, episode 4 ("Ways and Means"), and an appearance as Party Guest/Bridesmaid in Nutty Professor II: The Klumps?

Well, two out of three ain't bad.