Nice timing, eh?

Via WaPo:

In a direct response to Michelle Obama’s declared war on childhood obesity, another food company has changed its business practices and received her blessing. Subway restaurants joined her healthy eating initiative Thursday with a pledge to only include the most nutritious foods on its kids menu and meet the restrictions the federal government has placed on school lunches to include apples on the side and low-fat or nonfat milk or water as a beverage.

To mark the occasion, the first lady visited a Subway sandwich shop a few blocks from the White House, and had lunch and a news conference there with three athletes who endorse the chain and a group of students and parents from Bancroft and Harriett Tubman Elementary Schools in the District.

Before eating a turkey sandwich on wheat stacked with banana peppers, green peppers and spinach, Obama praised Subway for “actually working to get kids excited about eating their vegetables.”

“I asked companies to stop targeting kids with unhealthy products,” Obama said. “Now as parents and consumers — we actually have to buy their [healthier] products. We need to vote with our wallets. That’s how we get even more fresh food in our communities.”

Subway has pledged to spend $41 million over three years promoting its healthier kids menu with commercials and marketing campaigns, which will include the Muppets and the theme “playtime powered by veggies.” It has also stocked the kids menu with fruit, vegetables, non-sugary drinks and lean diary products. Employees will encourage children to pile the vegetables high, a company spokesman said.