Michelle Obama supports Walmart's plan for cheaper healthy food

Walmart has a new friend in first lady Michelle Obama, as she eagerly supported on Thursday the big box store’s new plan to cut prices on healthier food at its stores.

“To say I’m excited is probably an understatement because we’re really gaining some momentum on this issue,” said Obama, who leads an administration initiative to combat child obesity.

Walmart said it hopes to bring lower-priced healthy foods to “food deserts” in cities and rural areas that lack traditional grocery chains.

By 2015, Wal-Mart plans to cut sodium and added sugars in packaged foods, and will also remove industrially produced trans fats from its goods.

“We are seeing a fundamental shift in our national conversation about how we make and sell food,” Obama said.

The Walmart plan comes as the retailer faces big opposition over plans to open stores in urban areas including Chicago, Washington and possibly East New York.

(With Reuters)