There’s Money to Be Made in ‘MAHA.’ Food Companies Want In.

Food|There’s Money to Be Made in ‘MAHA.’ Food Companies Want In.

Mason Shaw, who oversees what Walmart stocks in its baking aisles, couldn’t figure out why an earthy green powder called moringa was selling so well.

Even after Lisa Curtis, whose line of moringa-based drink mixes has been in Walmart since 2019, told him that the market for so-called superfoods was growing fast, he still didn’t get it.

Then, a year ago, Mr. Shaw sat down to watch “The Tucker Carlson Show.” The guests — Dr. Casey Means, whom President Trump has nominated for surgeon general, and her brother Calley Means, an architect of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement — were talking about the ways big food and drug companies make people sick.

He called Ms. Curtis. “Lisa,” he said, “I think this food-as-medicine thing is taking off.”

With her help, the nation’s largest grocer designed a new “Better for You Superfood” section next to the flour and sugar in 3,000 stores. Introduced in June, it showcases products like chia seeds, lion’s mane mushrooms and Ms. Curtis’s Kuli Kuli line of products — which, as its marketing material points out, was “informed by insights” from Dr. Means.

Whether the new wave of interest in healthier food, fewer additives and nutrition supplements actually make America healthy again remains to be seen, but one thing is becoming clear: It can sure help sales.