On the last day of First Lady Michelle Obama’s 3-day “Let’s Move” tour, First Lady Michelle Obama took part in an event at Northland Church in Longwood, to promote her health and fitness initiative among religious and other community groups.
Obama told a crowd of about 3,000 people that food companies and restaurant chains across America are committed to offer healthier menu choices.
“We as a country cannot fulfill our promise unless our children can fulfill their promise,” she said.
Obama also said that lifestyles were healthier when she was a child, where she walked to and from school, watched only Saturday morning cartoons, American Bandstand, and Soul Train, before going out to play tag and double Dutch.
At family meals, “there was always a vegetable on the plate,” she said. “My mother never cared whether my brother and I liked what was on our plates.”
The crowd whooped and cheered, and one pumped-up dad turned to his daughter and said, “Did you hear that?”
Obama lamented “those wholesome family meals are unfortunately a thing of the past.” She told the gathering that the first family still huddles in the White House kitchen. Then said, “I’m not cookin’.”
She acknowledged that government didn’t have all the answers and called on religious group to step up and play a more active role.
Obama said that some churches have created “No-fry zones” in their congregations, or sponsored communal walks,” and encouraged them to serve healthy food instead of donuts and coffee cake at after-service meetings.
Before concluding her remarks, Obama announced a competition in which people make videos of their best efforts and submit them to the USDA. The winners, she said, will be invited to a reception at the White House.
“Let’s finish what we started,” she declared.
Obama then worked a rope line, which was five or six deep. She hugged little kids and reached across a sea of outstretched hands. A man held up a T-shirt saying “Muslims: Let’s Move.”
Adapted from pool reporter Mark Landler, NY Times
