Wal-Mart and Michelle Obama team up for healthy foods

[Freddie Stubbs]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0147e1c78625970b-pi

Wal-Mart and First Lady Michelle Obama are trying to change what you put in your mouth.

The retail giant has joined forced with the first lady on a new initiative -- announced Thursday in Washington -- that will slash the unhealthy fats, salts and sugars in the packaged foods that appear under Wal-Mart's Great Value label. Moreover, Wal-Mart vowed to slash prices on fresh fruits and veggies.

Given Wal-Mart's commercial reach, the initiative has the potential to reduce the amount of fats, salts and sugars consumed by Americans each day. And it no doubt will be welcomed by harried parents who rely on Wal-Mart's convenience products to get dinner on the table each night.

It's also a natural next step for Wal-Mart: The company has already made a push into the organics market. According to the New York Times, aides say it is the first time the first lady has thrown her support behind the work of a single company.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2011/01/wal-mart-michelle-obama-healthy-food.html

[leveymg]

1. This is the third or fourth Wal*Mart ad I've seen on DU today. Enough.

Michelle is diluting her moral and political capital by this implicit endorsement of Wal*Mart

Of course, she and her White House handlers realize what Wal*Mart symbolizes: China, Inc.; the corporate destruction of Main Street; a giant anti-union shop moving in on the unionized grocery industry.

This is just another step in the disintegration of the Obama Presidency and sell-out of the Right-wing of the Democratic Party to global corporations.

Extremely unappetitizing, no matter the "health-conscious" spin they put on it.

[ProSense]

9. "Michelle is diluting her moral and political capital by this implicit endorsement of Wal*Mart"

Good grief.

Her husband, the President, is a "corporatist sellout," what were you expecting?

[leveymg]

10. I was expecting that Obama would be a good, solid Democrat. Hasn't turned out that way, and this is

just one more disappointment in a long, growing line. I had no illusions that Obama was truly a progressive, but I did expect his Administration to be pro-Labor.

I could live with a traditional Democratic pol. But, he isn't one, and this action by the First Lady is rubbing salt on several open wounds.

[ProSense]

13. "this action by the First Lady is rubbing salt on several open wounds."

What exactly do you think the First Lady's job is?

She is promoting healthy eating among Americans. You may not like WalMart, but millions of Americans shop there.

How does ignoring WalMart help? There are times when partisanship has no role, and when it comes to people's health, that should be one of them.

[Brickbat]

15. Recognizing the fact that Wal-Mart has done much to increase the burden on public health programs,

welfare, and food stamps has nothing to do with partisanship. The idea that Wal-Mart gives a shit about people's health is laughable, and the fact that the First Lady is going along with the charade is embarrassing.

[ProSense]

16. So does McDonald's and a

slew of other retailers. How do you know that she doesn't recognize those things? That's like saying engaging China on trade means that you're unaware of its human rights violations.

Again: Millions of Americans shop at WalMart. She is not going to stop them from shopping there. She can engage them in promoting healthy eating habits.

"The idea that Wal-Mart gives a shit about people's health is laughable, and the fact that the First Lady is going along with the charade is embarrassing."

Frankly, the reaction to this news is what's embarrassing

[leveymg]

19. It seems that a lot of Obama boosters have been embarrassed. Repeatedly.

Look, I'm a loyal Democrat and worked hard and long to get the guy into office. Knocked 4,000 doors before the 2008 elections. I knew I wasn't helping to elect a Kucinich or even Dean.

But, since 01/20/09, it's just been one disappointment after another with him, with little relief. How do you expect progressive Democrats to react to this sort of corporate-sponsored spectacle the First Lady just got herself wrapped up in?

[ProSense]

21. "Obama boosters "?

"But, since 01/20/09, it's just been one disappointment after another with him, with little relief."

Don't try to project embarrassment onto others because you're disappointed.

[leveymg]

23. I'm hardly alone in being disappointed.

If you would like to suggest another term for those who praise his every act, real and symbolic, please feel free. Save it for the next election.

In the meantime, I'm going to say bloody well what I please about this Administration and Congress, even if some here would prefer we all just rejoiced all the time. That is, unless, I woke up in China this morning. All praise our wise and good Emperors!

[Arkana]

37. Every time someone starts their post with "I'm a loyal Democrat"

I just roll my eyes and stop reading.

I don't care if you knocked on 6 doors or 6,000 doors. He doesn't owe you any more than he owes any of us. He's the President of the United States, not the President of Obama for America.

[leveymg]

18. Her job isn't to act as spokesperson for anti-union multinationals, even if they shine their apples.

Come on. I can't believe you don't see how this is being taken as an endorsement by Michelle of Wal*Mart. This isn't just about nutrition policy. Even if we don't point that out, Wal*Mart already is.

[ProSense]

20. Her job isn't to be a partisan hack and ignore people

because they're not progressive. Maybe the President could step in and shut down WalMart. That would solve the problem.

Maybe the First Lady should boycott Arizona and Oklahoma and other states that treat residents like shit.

Let's make a list.

"This isn't just about nutrition policy."

Yeah, it's a conspiracy to drive more business to WalMart, much like health care reform was to help the insurance companies bottom line.

[leveymg]

22. I agree with everything you just said.

Even the sarcasm. Not sure about boycotting entire states, though. Let's talk about that Alaska secession thing - what do you think, good idea or bad?

[dionysus]

29. "salt on open wounds". well, there are some pretty embarrassing things here, but it ain't

"obama boosters"

[Arkana]

36. You and those like you seem to be covered with open wounds.

Most of which are self-inflicted.

[geek tragedy]

12. Yes, how dare that woman try to fight obesity

by working with the people who sell food to fat people.

Dear lord, doesn't looking for excuses to complain get tiresome?

[Hestia]

14. I'm conflicted about this - being from Ark., all you see in the business section

of the major paper is walmart this, walmart that, as if no other industry existed here, other than chicken producers. Ark. handed over the state coffers to walmart, which has suppressed wages here, low income housing, death taxes, we've heard it all here. I do wish they would pick up and move somewhere else, but I come from a state that turned down Fedex being HQ'd in Little Rock because the leaders said the business would never take off.

Farmers markets here accept food stamps and are on bus lines. There isn't a total food desert here as in larger cities. Do larger cities not have farmers markets? I've seen where Detroit and Milwaukee are doing urban farming. Is there nothing happening like that in other cities?

[RichGirl]

34. Good mental health is accepting what is and making the best of it.

Wal-Mart isn't going away. Why not encourage them to change for the better.

In life you have to allow change....people, companies, ideas and opinions...go with the flow. Being rigid will take your health and happiness.

And...in case you want to state the worst case scenerio...during the halocaust it's those who accepted their fate and made the best of it who survived. "Man's Search for Meaning" Viktor Frankel

[Enrique]

2. did Wal-Mart pay for this 'news story'?

... And it no doubt will be welcomed by harried parents who rely on Wal-Mart's convenience products to get dinner on the table each night...

[leveymg]

3. Maybe. But Michelle and Barack sure will, politically, for the reasons I stated above.

If I were a union grocery worker or a small town retailer, I'd be screaming bloody murder about this. If Michelle wants to endorse healthier eating, fine, but this is just too transparent. Note the timing of the Wal*Mart (China, Inc.) endorsement with the visit of the Chinese Emperor to the Emperor of America.

[dionysus]

4. oh for christ's sake. if walmart is going to have more healthy ingredients in their store brand crap

you're actually going to paint this as bad?

"they're cutting sodium, this is a slap in the face to unions everywhere!1!!"

[SidDithers]

27. +1...nt

Sid

[CTyankee]

6. Often for inner city folks their only choice is WalMart or a neighborhood

convenience store, because they are "food deserts" where supermarkets don't want to put their stores. The lack of fresh fruits and vegetables contributes a lot to the obesity seen in poorer neighborhoods. I'm glad something is being done...

[leveymg]

7. We've all heard that talking point before.

Most inner-city residents who aren't now served by nearby regular grocery chains find a way to get to one. Many have relatives or friends who own cars or cabs.

Wal*Mart isn't helping anyone but itself, here, and making it even more unlikely that a unionized grocery chain would build a store nearby.

[CTyankee]

11. We tried to do just that here in New Haven. For several years our poorest area had

a Shaw's supermarket where there was an abundance of good, fresh foods and lots of produce. When Shaw's left the state they couldn't find a buyer from other chains to buy that store and it has remained vacant. We might get another Stop and Shop, which is unionized, there. The community that this store served is really feeling the loss. Tell them about getting rides or cabs...and btw cabs in New Haven are super expensive...if you are poor and at the margins you can't afford a cab. some take the bus, which comes right to the store but it is hard to transport lots of groceries on a bus...the Shaw's was within walking distance of much of the neighborhood.

[namahage]

24. "Let them take cabs!" n/t

[leveymg]

25. I said a lot of them own cars or cabs, or know someone who does.

Don't twist my words.

[dionysus]

30. you you have any IDEA how expensive cab rides are?

:rofl:

[leveymg]

31. Reading comprehension issues?

If you own (or lease) a cab, or own a car, you don't charge your own family, neighbors and friends for a ride to the grocery store. That's how low-income people have traditionally gotten by in "underserved areas" - they help each other.

Wal*Mart -- an anti-union shop and the primary retailer of China-made consumer goods -- serves itself, at the expense of local communities and the entire United States. That's the point. The Wal*Mart apologists here make me want to throw up.

Go :rofl: yourself.

[dionysus]

33. see, no one's "apologizing" for walmart. you're imagining things. do you want them to add rat poison

to their food just so you can bitch about them some more?

[laugle]

35. I would

never buy food at Wal-mart, because I like my chicken without salmonella and ecoli................too many recalls..........

[FrenchieCat]

5. Walmart is not disappearing anytime soon. Poor folks will continue to shop

at Wall Mart, cause that's where they feel they can afford to shop.
To penalize them by stating that Wal-Mart is nothing but evil is
simplifying the issues.

the choices are for Wal-Mart to continue as it has been,
or to offer healthier choices.

Everything else is noise.....

I don't shop at Walmart, but that doesn't mean that I choose to begrudge those
who do, considering that many have no other cheap alternatives.

[Inuca]

26. Also, in rural America

where I have lived for the last 7 years or so, you often do NOT have any other practical alternatives. I lived in NYC and NJ, I know how being able to chose feels like. Now I almost always go to Walmart, and if their offerings will improve quality and price-wise, it's a definite personal plus. And no, I do not like them (though I very much appreciate their very cheap prices on a whole bunch of standard prescriprion drugs, cheaper than if I get them by mail through my pretty decent insurance).

[Cali_Democrat]

8. Unrec

Fuck Walmart.

[Brickbat]

17. I find a lot of odd stuff at the end of the NYT story about this particular issue.

The company says it will also address the problem of “food deserts” — a dearth of grocery stores selling fresh produce in rural and underserved urban areas like Anacostia — by building more stores. And it will increase charitable contributions for nutrition programs.

That is EXACTLY what this world needs! More Wal-Marts!

Mr. Dach said the company had yet to conquer its reformulation challenges, and described the goals as both aspirational and realistic. “We think it’s a realistic target, but it’s aspirational in the sense that we can’t tell you today how it’s all going to get done,” he said.

So...it's a great idea, and they're pretty sure they're going to do it...but in three years, when they find that not enough people are buying the fresh vegetables, what are they going to do?

[lame54]

28. they are going to do what is most profitable for them...

that is what they always do

[SidDithers]

32. Good. Anything to get Americans eating healthier is a good initiative...nt

Sid

[Orangepeel]

38. Good. Walmart is where people buy stuff.

If she wants to encourage healthy eating, she'd got to try to put the healthy food where the people shop.