Debra Eschmeyer named as Michelle Obama’s new ‘Let’s Move’ campaign director

First lady Michelle Obama on Thursday announced the new White House senior policy adviser for nutrition policy and director of the “Let’s Move!” campaign, a driving force behind controversial changes to school lunches.

Debra Eschmeyer, who founded the FoodCorps service program designed to teach cafeteria workers about nutrition, will fill the role vacated by Sam Kass.

“For more than a decade, Deb has been leading the way in teaching kids about the importance of healthy eating,” Mrs. Obama said in a statement. “From classrooms to gardens to kitchens and farms, Deb has made learning about nutrition fun and accessible for kids across the country. I am thrilled she will be continuing this important work here at the White House, and I know she will be an invaluable addition to our team.”

Under Ms. Eschmeyer, the FoodCorps program grew to include 182 members working in 16 states and D.C., the White House said.

Before founding FoodCorps, she worked at the National Farm to School Network, a campaign aimed at improving child nutrition programs.