Oink, Oink: $373 Million in Stimulus Money for Better Vending Machine Food

Thick slices of pork are being served up to help fight obesity.

Michelle: $373 million in stimulus money for better vending machine food
By: Byron York, Chief Political Correspondent-Washington Examiner - 10/14/09

First Lady Michelle Obama visited the headquarters of the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington Tuesday. She devoted much of her talk to "the growing threat of obesity, particularly childhood obesity" in the United States, and she touted HHS's recently-announced plan to spend $373 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on plans to, among other things, improve the healthfulness of foods in vending machines.

The first lady did not discuss how such work might stimulate the economy or speed economic recovery. But she had glowing praise for the stimulus' role in fighting obesity. "Congress and the president included $1 billion for prevention and wellness programs in the Recovery Act,"

This includes $373 million announced last month that would be available for communities that put together comprehensive plans to reduce obesity –- $373 million -- and that would include everything from incentivizing grocery stores to locate in underserved areas; it could include improving meals at school; to getting more healthy, affordable foods into vending machines; to creating more safe, accessible places for people to exercise and play; and a whole lot more."

"For example, communities will work to make high-fat snack foods and sugar-sweetened beverages less available in schools and other community sites and to use media to promote healthy choices. In addition, funded communities will be encouraged to provide quality physical education in the nation’s schools and enact comprehensive smoking bans."

This week, HHS announced another $120 million in stimulus funds will be made available for similar purposes.

Where do I apply for that job of getting more healthy, affordable foods into vending machines?