First lady's program expands food choices

WASHINGTON, July 20 (UPI) -- U.S. first lady Michelle Obama announced a plan Wednesday that involves some of the country's largest food retailers increasing their presence in underserved communities.

Over the next five years, Supervalu will build 250 new stores, Walmart will build or expand up to 300 stores and Walgreens will increase its healthy options in 1,000 stores nationwide as part of Obama's "Let's Move!" initiative.

Placing grocery stores in low-income communities ensures that children and families will have access to fresh produce, making a healthy lifestyle possible.

"We can give people all the information and advice in the world about healthy eating and exercise, we can talk all we want about calorie counts and recipes," Obama said. "But if parents' … only options for groceries are the corner gas station or the local minimart then all that is just talk."

Representatives and employees from food retailers across the country joined the first lady in the East Room of the White House for the announcement.

Josephine Grossi, the produce manager at the Shop 'N Save in Ambridge, Pa., has encouraged the families who shop at her store to lead active, healthy lifestyles for 30 years.

"After all, even the youngest child can do the hokey pokey or dance around on the playground," Grossi said.

Obama was also joined by Mayor Manuel Lozano of Baldwin Park, Calif., and Dr. Jim Gavin, chairman of the board for the Partnership for a Healthier America.

All three emphasized a look toward the future at the hard work that must be done to fight the childhood obesity epidemic.

"Today we move past talking about statistics that show there's merely a problem and focus on steps toward the solution," Gavin said.