Major retailers, including Walmart, Walgreens and SuperValu, are teaming up with Michelle Obama to open or expand a total of 1,500 stores in communities that are designated as "food deserts," or have limited access to nutritious food. The pledges, secured by the First Lady's Partnership for a Healthier America, will aid the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, which aims to financially assist stores that open in areas where finding affordable health food can be difficult.
Walgreens, for example, pledged to turn 1,000 of its stores located in food deserts into "food oasis stores," selling fruit, vegetables and other groceries that are not normally stocked. In addition, Walgreens will combine pharmacy, health and wellness services with its food oasis offering in under-served communities.
