Michelle Obama revealed on Wednesday that she has co-founded a company called PLEZi Nutrition. PLEZi aims to produce and sell healthy food and drink for children, prioritizing products with lower sugar content and higher nutrient value. This venture is an extension of Obama’s previous efforts to enhance child nutrition throughout her time as First Lady. During a keynote address at a conference sponsored by The Wall Street Journal in New York, she emphasized the importance of transforming the food and beverage industry from the ground up.

Obama expressed her pride in launching a company that not only provides better products but also initiates a competitive race among food industry players to improve nutrition standards. While she is a co-founder and strategic partner of PLEZi Nutrition, she clarified that her involvement will primarily focus on educational and philanthropic endeavors. She will not serve as a spokesperson or public face for the company. It remains unclear whether she made a financial investment in the company or if she will receive a salary.

During her time as First Lady, Obama championed the improvement of children’s health through initiatives such as “Let’s Move.” Her efforts included advocating for healthier school lunches and collaborating with food companies and restaurant chains to reduce calories, salt, sugar, and trans fats in their meals. Despite these endeavors, she noted that children still aren’t meeting recommended nutrient levels and are consuming excessive amounts of added sugar, averaging 53 pounds per year. Sugary drinks were identified as the main source of added sugar, with nearly two-thirds of children consuming such beverages daily.

Based in Washington, D.C., PLEZi Nutrition is a public benefit corporation, indicating its commitment to prioritize public welfare alongside profitability. The company aims to strike a balance between its profit-driven objectives and its mission to improve child nutrition.

In addition to the company’s formation, Obama announced a generous $1 million donation to FoodCorps, a nonprofit organization working towards providing nutrition education and free school meals to all 50 million U.S. students by 2030. Furthermore, PLEZi Nutrition plans to contribute 10 percent of its profits to support the broader movement aimed at enhancing child nutrition.

Michelle Obama’s new endeavor with PLEZi Nutrition reflects her unwavering commitment to promoting healthier eating habits and improving the long-term well-being of children across the United States.