Partners:
First Lady Visits Philadelphia
First Lady Michelle Obama visited Philadelphia on February 19, 2010, as part of the launch of her Let's Move campaign, targeted at preventing childhood obesity. Her visit included activities to highlight one pillar of the program: access to healthy, affordable food. The First Lady was accompanied on the visit by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. Their visit showcased the widespread problem of ‘food deserts’ and the steps Philadelphia has taken to get healthy, affordable food to its communities.
The First Lady and her party made two stops, the first of which was a visit to The Fresh Grocer at Progress Plaza. The supermarket just opened in December in a North Philadelphia neighborhood that has been without one for more than a decade. It was made possible with financing from the PA Fresh Food Financing Initiative and U.S. Department of Treasury's New Markets Tax Credits program.
At the second stop at Fairhill Elementary School, the First Lady and Secretaries shared the Let's Move initiative with a standing-room-only school auditorium of local community leaders. Introduced by a student who is active in the school's Health and Nutrition Leadership Council, the First Lady shared her commitment to replicate what is working in Pennsylvania.
"If anyone thinks it can't be done, I urge them to come to Philadelphia and see what can be done," she said.
Read More: First Lady Michelle Obama Highlights PA Fresh Food Financing Initiative
View Media Highlights:
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USA Today
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The Philadelphia Inquirer
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CBS-3
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Mrs. Obama Brings Childhood Obesity Fight to City | |
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CBS-3
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The Huffington Post
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The Huffington Post
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The White House Blog
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Remarks by the First Lady at Fresh Food Financing Initiative | |
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PolicyMap Blog
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First Lady Visits Philadelphia for Let's Move Initiative | |
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ABC News
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First Lady Michelle Obama Promotes $400 Million Initiative to Increase Healthy, Affordable Food Nationwide | |
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The
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KYW Newsradio |
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Reuters |
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WHYY |
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CDFI Fund
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Obama Administration Details Healthy Food Financing Initiative | |
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Philadelphia Tribune
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A Model for the Nation | |
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Progressive Grocer
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First Lady Visits Philly's Fresh Grocer | |
For more information:
For questions about the success of the PA program and the financing model: Patricia Smith, 215.574.5898 or patricia.smith@trfund.com.
Many operators of the stores financed in Pennsylvania are happy to speak with media or interested policymakers. Please contact Patricia Smith for an introduction.
For questions about food access and health issues: John Weidman, 267.679.4460 or jweidman@thefoodtrust.org.
For questions about the national initiative: Judith Bell, 510.390.8179 or jbell@policylink.org.