Birds Eye Vegetable Sales Mark Progress in Obesity Fight

Anti-obesity efforts by 48 companies, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Walgreen Co., have led to more fresh foods in poor neighborhoods, reduced soda consumption and a jump in vegetable sales, a U.S. report shows.

Pinnacle Foods Inc. saw a two-month sales increase for its Birds Eye frozen vegetables last year during a $2 million marketing push on the Nickelodeon channel, part of an initiative related to U.S. first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign. The vegetable sales were among the actions highlighted in a report today by the Partnership for a Healthier America on government alliances started in 2010 with the food industry.