When the First Lady Talks, Do Food Manufacturers Listen?
Today, First Lady Michele Obama brought her fight against obesity straight to the trough, so to speak, by addressing the nation’s food industry leaders. At the invitation of the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association, Mrs. Obama spent time today with some of the heavy (pun intended) hitters, such as Coca-Cola, Del Monte, and General Mills. Given the alarming rate of childhood obesity in this country, one of the First Lady’s crusades is to reduce the epidemic by spearheading a national public awareness effort. She signed on earlier this year to promote the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, which aims to expand access to fresh, healthy food to all underserved urban and rural communities across the country within seven years. She spoke last month at the National Governors Association meeting, trying to convince leaders to take up the reins in their own states, and make children a priority. She has also made forays into schools and communities across the country, and is setting a good example
