What could possibly signal your intentions better than having the First Lady as your honorary Chair? The Partnership for a Healthier America, as earnest an organization dedicated to the public welfare as I have seen, held their Building A Healthier Future Summit last month in Washington, DC.
With a set of general sessions, breakouts, and an exposition, as well as meal events, the Summit showcased their commercial and nonprofit partners committed to improving the health of all Americans, with a heavy emphasis on reducing childhood obesity through education, nutrition, and exercise. This fits neatly with Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative. Although there was a distinct air of self-congratulation hovering around some of the presentations (mostly from the bigger commercial partners), the impression that everyone there was working for the common good was inescapable. There were plenty of opportunities for partners to learn, network and do business while indulging in VERY, VERY HEALTHY samples, snacks and meals.
The First Lady had a presence far bigger than her keynote address on the second day of the conference. Several presentations namechecked her by way of touting their nutrition cred.
Big Bird and First Lady
The main point taken from the opening plenary was the importance of water in childhood nutrition. One speaker mentioned that bottled water costs more than soda, and concluded with a plea to fix the water fountains in public schools. (See this post for my opinion on this topic).
At lunch, the point was reinforced by the table favors – water bottles with built-in Brita filters.
The lunch program featured James Beard-award winning chefs Hugh Atcheson and Barbara Lynch (who just happened to have designed the lunch menus), as well as Sam Kass (heading up the “Let’s Move!” program), discussing ways to get kids to accept vegetables, encourage home cooking and teach what used to be called “home economics” in schools. Kids need to dig potatoes, and public schools must reduce their dependence on contract purchasing.
Lunch Menus
Very Healthy Lunch
Michael Jacobson, of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, was there. He reiterated that unhealthy drinks contribute to childhood obesity, and observed that corporations are revising their advertising policies to kids for unhealthy food and drinks. What could motivate them to make new foods reasonably healthy? “Bad publicity or threat of jail.”
Chef Panel, L to R: Atcheson, Lynch, Kass
After the panels, there was a movement break. A hip-hop artist named Real Doug E Fresh got the entire ballroom full of attendees dancing in place. He led a corps of very well-muscled young hunks in tight tee-shirts in a dance routine, and invited everyone to join him on stage.
Push-Ups – The General Is The Grey-Haired Guy
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, who just a few minutes ago was on a panel expounding on the poor shape of enlisted men, went push-up for push-up with the best of them!
Lunch would have been painfully healthy if it wasn’t also delicious. The same could be said for the samples given out in the exhibition hall.
Morrison Chefs – Just Before Their Formal Pose
Delicious Morrison Food
Morrison Healthcare, a major provider of hospital food programs, had a big presence there. Their exhibits were eye-catching as well as nutritious. The cupcakes were made with black beans and chickpeas, and were delicious. There were chocolate turtles with almond butter and agave substituting for caramel.
And The Cupcakes Got Feet!!
The swag included food-themed objects, like veggie pens.
Veggie Pens Posing
Other exhibitors included Walmart, Birds Eye, Cooking Light magazine, and the mushroom people (“Fresh Mushrooms – Nature’s Hidden Treasure.”)
After lunch, one of the panels was moderated by Donna Shalala, former Secretary of Health and Human Services, now President of the University of Miami. Addressing the need to maintain a healthy college environment, it explored how institutions can work to achieve a culture of fitness for young adults.
On Friday, the food marketing panel was full of ideas on how to use the powers formerly employed to sell junk food for the cause of good. Cookie Monster is now pushing fruits and vegetables. George Leon from Sony Pictures described how the movie Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 featured tie-ins with collaborator Feeding America, a nationwide chain of food banks. Todd Putnam of Bolthouse Farms developed the Food Porn Index to track what kinds of foods are shared on the Internet. One highly amusing website!
Donna Shalala
Then, at last, after another tasty but healthy lunch, and more speakers – including an actual Muppet -it was time for the First Lady. She spoke charmingly about how her mother and grandmother planned meals for the week. Wednesday was liver night, “a sad night in our house.” She started cooking when her kids outgrew the “jar stage.” Many mothers can relate to that.
She reiterated her commitment to ending childhood obesity in a generation, and according to the latest research, we may be on our way to accomplishing it! She promised to continue working toward that goal when she leaves the White House.
The First Lady Speaks
She graciously met her fans among the attendees – and there were many!
First Lady Times Four
Then, with her exit, the conference was over. Here’s looking forward to reporting even more progress next year for this exemplary cause.
