First Lady Obama Refreshes Supermarkets


Yesterday, July 20th, First Lady Michelle Obama announced a great new agreement to bring more healthy food choices to more Americans around the country. Michelle Obama has brought together leaders from several major retailers, foundations, and some small businesses to commit to opening locations in various food deserts around the country.

Currently there are 23.5 million Americans-including 66.5 million children-who live in rural and urban areas that lack any stores likely to sell healthy and nutritious foods, like fruits and vegetables. But studies have shown that just the basic access to fresh fruits and vegetables can go far in combating the obesity epidemic.

The initiative is committing companies like Wal-Mart, Walgreens and SuperValu to open over 500 stores that will offer healthier choices for more Americans. The companies have also agreed to offer even more healthy choices in their existing locations.

This is just the kind of action this country needs to fight health problems like obesity. Mrs. Obama's Let's Move! Campaign is doing all sorts of great things to help combat obesity and providing sustainable, healthy food options is a crucial part of getting people fit and in shape.

Mrs. Obama said it best on her website: "We can give people all the information and advice in the world about healthy eating and exercise, but if parents can't buy the food they need to prepare those meals because their only options for groceries are the gas station or the local minimart, then all that is just talk."

When so many cities are still without any farmers' markets or access to fresh foods, it's exciting to see this kind of action and initiative coming from the White House.

For more on the announcement, read the White House's full press release here.