TAMPA, Fla. -- She arrived 15 minutes early.
The First Lady, according to her team, is always on time or even early.
Michelle Obama was on a mission and ready to talk about eating healthy; she maintains that food has always been a way to bring a family closer.
"Some of my best childhood memories involve food," said Mrs. Obama. "Family and friends gathering together for hours in the kitchen. That was the living room, the kitchen. You didn't sit in the living room, you sat in the kitchen."
The First Lady made a stop in Tampa at the Spanish-based National supermarket on North Armenia Avenue.
She said it was the perfect place to spread her message of eating healthy through her 'Let's Move' initiative. After all, one in three American children is obese.
The First Lady wants to change that.
Mrs. Obama is reaching out to moms and dads with the help of Goya foods to launch Mi Plato which means, "my plate."
"Kids are spending too much time in front of the TV instead of outside playing," she said. "Chips and candy and soda are taking up too much of their diets."
Mi Plato basically makes eating healthy simple by dividing the dinner plate into more vegetables and grains, along with protein and fruits. Mrs. Obama said this makes for healthier, happier families.
One of the things the First Lady talked about was the importance of food bringing the family together. She shared some of her memories from growing up and being around the table with family members.
"Food is love, food is love," she said.
Dignitaries such as Congresswoman Kathy Castor and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn were also on hand to listen to the first lady speak.
"I know the importance of making healthy meals. I have two girls. I know for families and single moms out there, it's not easy," said the Mayor.
The first lady knows, the healthiest options are not always the easiest for families.
She's just hoping that more moms and dads will think about Mi Plato the next time they fix dinner.
WTSP