Last week, as part of Let’s Move!, the First Lady led the Presidential Delegation to the Milan Expo 2015. With the theme “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life,” the Expo is promoting a global dialogue about the future of our food system. The First Lady and the Presidential Delegation were proud to share the successes of Let’s Move! and the efforts happening in the United States to support healthier lifestyles while eagerly learning from other countries’ leaders about how they are addressing the issue of childhood obesity and raising healthier families.

“That’s why it’s so important for us all to be here at this Expo, sharing these ideas with the world, learning from each other, celebrating the advancements that we’ve made, but also not being complacent,” said First Lady Michelle Obama.

Over the course of two days, Mrs. Obama and members of the Presidential Delegation had a chance to visit the Expo and meet with students and leaders to engage in conversation around important topics to create a healthy future for a growing population.   

The first stop was a visit to the James Beard American Restaurant. Located in the heart of central Milan, atop the landmark Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the James Beard American Restaurant at Seven Stars Galleria provides a showcase for great chefs, products, ingredients, beverages, and other American delights. Throughout the six months of Milan Expo, visiting guest chefs from across America will prepare special menus to celebrate the finest ingredients and cuisine from the United States and will also host Italian chefs interpreting American cuisine.

John Besh was the visiting guest chef last week, and he led the First Lady, the Presidential Delegation, and students from the American School of Milan in a cooking demonstration of Barley, Rice, and Lentil Salad with Chicken, showing how to prepare a delicious, healthy meal with fresh ingredients and emphasizing the role that home cooking can play in raising healthy families. 

First Lady Michelle Obama, in support of the "Let's Move!" initiative, participates in a cooking demonstration with Italian and American middle school students at the James Beard American Restaurant in Milan, Italy, June 17, 2015. The First Lady is leading the presidential delegation to the Milan Expo 2015, with the theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life." (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

The following day, the First Lady visited the Milan Expo, where she toured the Italian Pavilion with Mrs. Landini, wife of Italian Prime Minister Renzi. During their visit to the Italian Pavilion, Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Landini viewed a presentation by students from the International School of Milan who recorded videos that aligned with the Expo’s theme “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.” The students covered topics ranging from planning out meals in advance and using leftovers to working together to save food and reduce waste. 

First Lady Michelle Obama watches food conservation videos made by students of the International School of Milan in the Italian Pavilion at the World Expo in Milan, Italy, June 18,  2015. The First Lady, in support of the "Let's Move!" initiative, leads a presidential delegation to the expo, "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life."  (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

Following the visit to the Italian Pavilion, Mrs. Obama greeted 50 American college students who were selected by the USA Pavilion to serve as student ambassadors to welcome and interact with visitors at the pavilion. Student ambassadors then led Mrs. Obama on a tour of the USA pavilion, highlighting its  theme “American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet.” 

First Lady Michelle Obama is greeted by student ambassadors along with the US Delegation outside of the USA Pavilion at the World Expo in Milan, Italy, June 18,  2015. The First Lady, in support of the "Let's Move!" initiative, leads a presidential delegation to the expo, "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life."  (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

Through interactive exhibits and digital media, the USA Pavilion focuses on six key areas, including nutrition, cooking, farming, policy, research, and industry, and how all sectors must work together to create a healthy, sustainable future.

First Lady Michelle Obama watches a demonstration of an interactive game during a tour of the USA Pavilion at the World Expo in Milan, Italy, June 18,  2015. The First Lady, in support of the "Let's Move!" initiative, leads a presidential delegation to the expo, "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life."  (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon) 

After the tour, the First Lady joined the Presidential Delegation for an insightful Q&A session where the student ambassadors had the opportunity to ask Mrs. Obama and the Delegation members about the important role they play in creating a culture of health and discussing topics around nutrition driving performance, the role of cooking, the impact of food marketing, and supporting beginning farmers.

As the First Lady said, “We’ve got to have business leaders, we’ve got to have our athletes, our entrepreneurs, our foundations, our farmers all stepping up trying to figure out how to bring the best solutions to bear on behalf of our kids and our communities.”

First Lady Michelle Obama and the US Delegation participate in a Q&A with student ambassadors in the USA Pavilion at the World Expo in Milan, Italy, June 18,  2015. The First Lady, in support of the "Let's Move!" initiative, leads a presidential delegation to the expo, "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life."  (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

To continue thinking through new solutions, I had the opportunity to lead a conversation over lunch between our Delegation and representatives from the Republic of Italy, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Colombia on the topics of health and nutrition. Participants from each country discussed the issues of obesity and childhood nutrition in their own country, cultural differences in the areas of nutrition and food marketing, and shared values and best practices in raising healthier families.

The First Lady summed it up best focusing on the long view: "I know that I for one long after I leave the office of First Lady I'm going to continue to work on these issues because our children deserve better," First Lady Michelle Obama said. "And we can do better, we can, we have seen it here."