Darden Restaurants spends $466,416 in 2Q lobbying gov’t on childhood obesity issues, taxes

Darden spends $466,416 lobbying in 2nd quarter

WASHINGTON — Darden Restaurants Inc. spent $466,416 in the second quarter to lobby on childhood obesity and tax issues, according to a recent disclosure report.

That’s slightly ahead of the $426,000 it spent during the same period last year, and well above the $286,000 it spent in the first quarter. First lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to end childhood obesity has targeted school lunches, high-calorie sodas and sodium levels in processed foods. Among other recommendations, a government panel report has called on restaurants to consider portion sizes and post more calorie information.

Darden, which owns the Olive Garden and Red Lobster chains, also lobbied the federal government on legislation related to immigration reform and other issues.

In the April-through June period, the Orlando, Fla.-based restaurant chain lobbied both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, along with the White House and the Office of Management & Budget, according to a disclosure report filed July 16 with the House clerk’s office.