Critics say Michelle Obama should get out of the business of telling Americans what to eat.
But the first lady is about to take off a nation-wide tour to celebrate the anniversary of her Lets Move! initiative promoting healthy eating, arguing that the program has been a success.
Food in schools has “dramatically improved” and more “Americans now have access to healthy, affordable food closer to home,” the White House said Wednesday in a release about the tour.
Her tour will span from Mississippi to Missouri to Illinois on Feb. 27 and 28.
The Let’s Move! initiative was launched in February 2010 to “unite the country around our kids’ health and create real support for families to live healthier lives,” according to the White House.
As part of the third anniversary of the program, Michelle Obama also plans to go to New York City to appear on the television shows “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “Good Morning America” and “The Dr. Oz Show” to talk about the initiative.
While in Clinton, Miss. next Wednesday, the first lady is set to appear with TV host Rachael Ray.
“Mrs. Obama and Rachael Ray chose to highlight school lunches in Mississippi, which was rated the most obese state in the nation for several years, because the state’s childhood obesity rates have declined by 13 percent among elementary school students in recent years,” the White House said.
During an event in Chicago next Thursday, the first lady will focus on promoting exercise with people like Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Bo Jackson and Serena Williams are among the athletes expected to attend.
And in Springfield, Missouri, Michelle Obama will “see changes Walmart has made to reduce sodium and added sugars from packaged food items, to make healthier food more affordable, and to include a simple front-of-package seal for identifying healthier food choices.”
“The Walmart store Mrs. Obama will visit was built as part of the company’s commitment to Let’s Move! to open or expand up to 300 stores in communities with limited access to healthy, affordable food.”