First Lady Michelle Obama returns to Chicago Tuesday to check out Mayor Rahm Emanuel's "food desert summit" and raise money for her husband's 2012 re-election.
Emanuel's meeting of mayors and grocers from across the country at City Hall is meant to discuss the lack of fresh foods in poorer communities, an issue Emanuel has made a point of highlighting.
In June, the mayor met with CEOs from several major grocery chains to discuss eliminating food deserts in six Chicago neighborhoods. Since then, a new Walgreen's market has opened on the South Side and the city's first Super Walmart broke ground in West Pullman.
The summit falls in line with the First Lady's "Let's Move!" campaign to prevent child obesity. In July, she announced SUPERVALU, Walgreens and Walmart, among others retailers, would open or expand 1,500 stores to serve those in food deserts.
While in Chicago, Obama and Emanuel will visit an expanded Walgreens at about 2:45 p.m. that offers produce and grocery staples. At 4 p.m., the duo stops by Iron Street Urban Farms, a program that produces food year-round in Bridgeport.
Also on the First Lady's agenda is a fundraiser for the presidential campaign at Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington.
Tickets for the West Side event range from $100 to $10,000 for a photo reception for families of up to six.
This is the third 2012 fundraising event in Chicago for the Obama family. In April, Obama kicked off his re-election bid at Navy Pier. In August, he celebrated his birthday at the Aragon Ballroom.
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