Corporate Responsibility

Washington, D.C. -- An endorsement by First Lady Michelle Obama of its new food nutrition and health initiative has helped to propel Wal-Mart Stores forward in its plans to remove political obstacles to further U.S. growth.

The new healthy food drive, in which Walmart is reformulating its Great Value private-label foods to reduce sodium and sugar contents, was announced on Thursday at a community center in a low-income area of Washington, D.C. It was attended by the First Lady, who also leads an administration initiative to fight childhood obesity.

Talk about favorable media coverage. CNBC aired a one-hour special last week called “Target: Inside the Bullseye,” that served as more of a glowing endorsement of the company than the probing documentary implied by the title.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart's philanthropic arm announced a $2 million donation to help food banks save money on energy bills.

This funding, the Walmart Foundation said, will help 16 food banks "go green," by becoming more energy efficient through lighting, refrigeration or heating and air conditioning equipment upgrades.

This initiative is a part of Walmart's commitment to fighting hunger. In May, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced a $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment through the end of 2015, including:

LOS ANGELES — Looking to offer a greener option for users of Styrofoam and noncompostable insulated cups, Repurpose Compostables has launched a new insulated hot cup that is 100% compostable.

One Cup requires no sleeve, uses 65% less carbon dioxide than a traditional cup and can be composted in 90 days, the company said. The insulated cups also feature Ingeo-based lining, which eliminates the need for "double cupping," to assure the beverage, and not the drinker's hands, stay hot.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Safeway announced that it has formed a fund to aid the victims of the recent shooting that occurred in one of its Tucson stores.

The company launched the fund with an initial contribution of $100,000 from the Safeway Foundation, and encourages in-store contributions from Safeway customers and community members in the company’s Arizona stores.

Walmart announced that it is funding Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom, a new initiative aimed at increasing breakfast consumption among schoolchildren and highlighting the academic and nutritional benefits of eating in the morning.

Walmart Foundation donated $3 million to the initiative being run collectively by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), National Association of Elementary School Principals Foundation, National Education Association Health Information Network, and School Nutrition Foundation.

Minneapolis -- Two leaders of Target have been appointed to the retailer's executive committee.

Tina Schiel, senior VP enterprise strategy and new business development, was promoted to executive VP stores and will join the executive committee, while Laysha Ward, who will retain her position as Target's community relations president and Target Foundation president, also will join the executive committee.

New York City -- Whole Foods Market is starting to roll out a new range of healthier prepared foods, nutritional scorecards and other changes as part of its return to its healthy eating roots, the Associated Press reported. 

The changes are part of the company’s "Health Starts Here” program. Among the changes Whole Foods is rolling out this year:

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Grocer Food City has inked a partnership with the University of Tennessee Medical Center to expand the Healthy Living Kitchen — a move that is expected to result in a significantly greater reach for Healthy Living Kitchen programs and educational efforts at schools, community events and Food City supermarkets throughout the region.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Mattel announced that it has appointed Bryan Stockton, Mattel’s president of international, to the new position of chief operating officer, effective immediately. Stockton will report to Robert Eckert, chairman and chief executive officer of Mattel, as will Mattel’s finance, legal and human resources functions.

The company also announced that Neil Friedman, president of Mattel brands, will be leaving the company in March 2011.