MObama Deserves a Thank You.

The First Lady's success in establishing the Let's Move Campaign and then furthering its goals over the past year have been substantial. I think that she deserves a "Thank You" from our nation, whether we have been directly affected by her initiative or have only heard about the fruits of her labor in our neighborhood or state. Here is a recap of what she has done in the past year:


1. Organic White House Vegetable Garden- On March 20th of 2009 the Obama's broke ground on the White House's South Lawn, with over twenty students from a local elementary school, for an organic vegetable garden. The White House has not had a garden on it's property since Eleanor Roosevelt's Victory Garden during World War II. The Obama's hope to set an example of healthful eating for the country by educating children about nutritious, locally grown fruits and vegetables. The first lady is hoping children will become interested in where their produce comes from and influence their families and communities to eat healthier.

2. Let's Move!- A little over a year ago the First Lady announced her initiative to find a solution to childhood obesity in the United States that encourages healthful eating and physical activity. The five key components that the campaign focuses on are creating a healthy start for children, empowering parents and caregivers, providing healthy food in schools, improving access to healthy affordable food and increasing physical activity. Here is video of Michelle Obama recapping the last year of Let's Move!


Here are a few highlights of the campaign's accomplishments:

• USDA's healthier U.S. School Challenge programs, which recognize schools that promote healthful eating and physical activity, has been adopted by the campaign and expanded.
• USDA's Chefs Move to Schools pairs chefs with interested districts to develop healthful menu items and incorporate local food. This program has also been adopted by the initiative and participation and interest from schools has skyrocketed. 
• National conversation has shifted its focus to the issue of childhood obesity and many people have joined the discussion leading to a great deal of inspiration and ideas aimed at solving the problem.
• Recognition and support from the food industry, in response to the campaign calling for better access to and greater affordability of healthful foods for all Americans, has led to the Grocery Manufacturers Association's development of the Nutrition Keys and Walmart's Nutrition Charter. 
• Government officials within some communities have taken action to improve access to healthful foods and fund physical education programs. 

3. Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010- In August of 2010 the First Lady began speaking to congress about how important the passing of this act would be for our nation. Apparently her speeches were effective because on December 13th, 2010 the bill was presented to President Obama who signed the act into law. The bill gives funding to federal school meal and child nutrition programs. It ensures the additional enrollment of 115,000 low income children to provide access to nutritious meals. Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids will improve the quality of school meals, mirroring the goals of Let's Move!, by reworking nutritional standards of meals and monitoring schools for adherence.


4. Walmart Nutrition Charter- Not long after the first anniversary of the Let's Move Campaign this year, Walmart announced its Nutrition Charter to provide healthier and more affordable food for its customers. The nation's largest food retailer has promised to:

• Build new stores in areas that currently have little access to healthful foods.
• Make healthful food more affordable.
• Participate in developing consistent front-of-package labeling to make it easier for shoppers to identify healthful foods.
• To commit, by 2015, to carrying only items that have reduced their sodium content by 25%, reduced added sugars by 15% and eliminated trans fats. 

Over 140 million people shop at Walmart each week. The company is also the largest customer of most food companies putting significant pressure on the industry to provide its customers with healthier products or face being removed from the shelves.

February 9, 2011

“We applaud the First Lady’s advocacy efforts for better nutrition for America’s children. She has served as a powerful catalyst in our efforts to make food healthier and healthier food more affordable and we look forward to continue working with Let’s Move to bring better nutrition to kitchen tables across the country.”

- Andrea Thomas, Senior Vice President for Sustainability, Walmart

5. Restaurants- Michelle Obama has been discussing the restaurant industry's role in her campaign with the National Restaurant Association over the past year. Her hope is for the adoption of smaller portions and children's meals that include healthful alternatives to the traditional french fries and soda accompaniments. The White House has said that the talks are still in the early stages and that no formal agreements have been made.

Thank you Michelle Obama and everyone who have contributed to furthering her campaign, I hope the year ahead will be just as fortunate as the last!