Michelle Obama's foray into food politics sparks industry debate over future of agribusiness

l.a. times ^ | 5/21/10 | Johanna Neuman

[Nachum]

This week, a coalition of food and beverage manufacturers -- including Campbell Soup, Coca-Cola, General Mills, Kellogg, Kraft Foods and PepsiCo -- signed up for First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign to reduce childhood obesity within a generation. Pledging to cut portion sizes and trim calories in current products and introduce new, more healthful options, they estimate they can slash 1 trillion calories by the end of 2012 and 1.5 trillion calories by the end of 2015.

"This is precisely the kind of real private-sector commitment that we need," the first lady said at a news conference at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. "And I hope that more will follow the example that they've set."

[Nachum]

Sensitive to the potential explosive reaction from agribusiness, the Obama administration declined journalist David Kirby's request for information about where the White House gets its meat, dairy and eggs -- how much from factory farms, how much from farmers who practice sustainable agriculture.

[freekitty]

I think they better cough up since the tax payers pay for those meat, egg and dairy products.

[freekitty]

I think they better cough up since the tax payers pay for those meat, egg and dairy products.

[two23]

MO should check her own fat a$$ before telling the rest of America what they should and should not eat.
She’s the worst kind of glutton...every forkful she shovels into her mug is paid for by real Americans.

[pyx]

Pledging to cut portion sizes ...

Decreasing portion sizes and leaving prices the way they are would INCREASE consumer costs. The boob-belt lady would be happy to increase consumer prices as it would fit the LEFT'S agenda.

[Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears]

If you or your kid is fat, don’t worry. It is not your responsibility.

It is government’s job to tell you everything you can eat, read, think, say, or do.

[LibFreeOrDie]

I want to see calorie counts for every meal served at the White House.

Here’s the menu from this week’s state dinner:

Jicama with Oranges, Grapefruit, and Pineapple
Citrus Vinaigrette
Ulises Valdez Chardonnay 2007 “Russian River”

Herb Green Ceviche of Hawaiian Opah
Sesame-Cilantro Cracker

Oregon Wagyu Beef in Oaxacan Black Mole
Black Bean Tamalon and Grilled Green Beans
Herrera Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 “Selección Rebecca”

Chocolate-Cajeta Tart
Toasted Homemade Marshmallows
Graham Cracker Crumble and Goat Cheese Ice Cream
Mumm Napa “Carlos Santana Brut” N/V

And the menu from November’s state dinner:

The State Dinner Menu

First
Potato and Eggplant Salad
White House Arugula with Onion Seed Vinaigrette
2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Modus Operandi, Napa, California

Red Lentil Soup with Fresh Cheese
2006 Riesling, Brooks “Ara,” Willamette Valley, Oregon

Entree
Roasted Potato Dumplings
with Tomato Chutney
Chickpeas and Okra

or

Green Curry Prawns
Caramelized Salsify
with smoked Collard Greens
and Coconut Aged Basmati
2007 Grenache, Beckmen Vineyards, Santa Ynez, CA

Dessert
Pumpkin Pie Tart
Pear Tatin
Whipped Cream and Caramel Sauce
Sparkling Chardonnay, Thibaut-Janisson Brut, Monticello, Virginia

Petis Fours and Coffee
Cashew Brittle
Pecan Pralines
Passion Fruit and Vanilla Glacee
Chocolate-Dipped Fruit

[Lion Den Dan]

Don’t these maggots eat meat????

[Lion Den Dan]

Pledging to cut portion sizes ...

Not only will the price peer portion remain the same, when the kid is still hungry, it will get another "portion" to eat so the cost will more than double.

[hattend]

Moo-Shell needs to lose her fat ass before she tells us how to eat

Kind of upset these corporations rolled over. Obama really is a fascist asshole

[Bean Counter]

[grey_whiskers]

Proposed new rule, aka to the MoDO/CJZ pics.

In honor of this:

I suggest that *every* Michelle Obama thread should have pictures of Carla Bruni, such as:

or

or

Cheers!

[subterfuge]

Naturally, being one of the obama regime’s subjects, I don’t know what half that stuff is.