Just a few years ago, President Obama refused to shop at Wal-Mart. But his wife now has other ideas.

First lady Michelle Obama joined executives from the big-box behemoth on Thursday to announce a new program to promote more healthful foods. The move was part of her signature campaign to fight childhood obesity, and Wal-Mart pledged to reduce sodium and sugar and eliminate trans fats in the packaged foods it sells to roughly 140 million customers each week – or, possibly now 140,000,002.

‘When I see a company like Wal-Mart launch an initiative like this, I feel more hopeful than ever before,’ the first lady said in a speech at THEARC in Southeast Washington in front of crates of fresh produce. ‘We can improve how we make and sell food in this country.’

The announcement amounted to a very public display of affection for a company that had long been a thorn in the side of Democrats. Five years ago, Wal-Mart was in the midst of a bruising battle with labor groups that accused it of paying low wages and providing stingy health benefits. Then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton returned a campaign contribution from the company, citing ‘serious differences.’ Michelle Obama resigned from the […]