Leading US retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc has praised the introduction of the Let's Move initiative, announced by First Lady Michelle Obama and designed to give better access and greater affordability of healthy food for the country's population.
In an open letter sent to the First Lady, Wal-Mart's executive vice-president for corporate affairs and government relations Leslie Dach said that, as the nation's largest retailer, it knew firsthand how important it was to make healthy choices more convenient and more affordable for US citizens.
'We look forward to working with the White House on this important initiative, and we are committing to help American families put healthy foods on the tables,' Mr Dach said.
A number of suggestions as to how Wal-Mart would contribute to the initiative were also put forward in the letter, including reducing the cost of healthy food for all Americans, finding ways to help get nutritional information to customers, and increasing access to healthy, affordable food.
Other proposals included working with suppliers to find ways to make food healthier, and using the retail environment to increase consumer purchases of healthier choices.
'To reiterate, we will use our unique position in the marketplace to increase access to and affordability of healthy foods, while at the same time working to make it easier for consumers to make healthier choices for themselves and their families,' Mr Dach continued. 'We appreciate the opportunity to work with you on such an important initiative.'
