The Partnership for a Healthier America, chaired by the First Lady Michelle Obama, has signed an agreement with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) to cut 1 trillion calories from the American diet by 2012.

This is the interim step to their ultimate pledge goal: to reduce the nation's caloric intake by 1.5 trillion by 2015.

Many of the nation's food and beverage manufacturers are represented at the HWCF, including Kellogg's, PepsiCo., Sara Lee, and Campbell's.

Food Politics' Marion Nestle was privy to a conference call with the White House on the eve of this story's release. She confirms that some of the industry's most prominent leaders are backing the initiative.

Read More: First Lady Announces Food and Beverage Manufacturer Agreement with Partnership for a Healthier America to Fight Childhood Obesity (WhiteHouse.gov)