Last week, Walmart and the first lady, Michelle Obama, teamed up to roll out a new plan to fight childhood obesity. The nations’ largest grocer has committed to improving the availability of healthier foods in the stores, as well as the affordability by 2015.

Walmart has decided to reduce sodium and added sugars in some items, build stores in poor areas that don't already have grocery stores, reduce prices on produce and develop a logo for healthier items. The initiative is targeting the company’s house brand, Great Value. Walmart and the first lady hope that major food suppliers, like Kraft, follow in their footsteps.

The Partnership for a Healthier America will monitor the Walmart’s progress over the next five years.

I think the new initiative for Walmart will possibly attract a new kind of customer. Health-conscious shoppers may feel more compelled to shop at Walmart knowing that they have healthier items. It should be interesting to see how the store promotes their new foods and if it affects their suppliers.

Although Walmart is not the first store to roll out a healthier alternative plan, it is the largest.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/walmart-healthy-food-push_n_811473.html?ir=Food