Updated: March 2, 2021
Originally Published: May 19, 2015
Renowned British chef Jamie Oliver is reviving his Food Revolution, and this time he aims to gain parental support for his ambitious plan to enhance school-lunch programs.
Back in 2008, I had the chance to speak with Oliver shortly after he successfully revamped school lunches in the U.K. He managed to demonstrate to policymakers that it’s possible to provide nutritious and appetizing meals for students without relying on deep-frying or questionable microwave dishes—unlike the appalling fish sandwich that made the rounds on social media recently, shocking parents everywhere.
Oliver set out to tackle what he perceived as a similar food crisis in American schools, but he faced significant pushback at every opportunity. In 2011, I watched as he launched his now-canceled ABC series, Food Revolution, in Los Angeles, where I lived at the time. Unfortunately, political disputes and conflicts with food vendors forced him to abandon the project. School officials even called the police on Oliver and his team to prevent them from introducing fresh ingredients into school lunches in Southern California.
I’m thrilled to see that Chef Oliver remains undeterred. Last week, he kicked off Food Revolution Day 2015, which includes a new petition aimed at parents in G20 countries—like Argentina, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, South Korea, Turkey, and the U.S.—asking us to push our leaders for better lunch options in public schools.
Why is this important?
Because our children’s poor diets are jeopardizing their health and our future. Many schools continue to stock vending machines with sugary drinks and salty snacks, while serving pizza and fries daily, undermining our efforts at home to promote healthier eating.
Here are some alarming facts highlighted in Oliver’s video:
- G20 nations are witnessing a surge in preventable diet-related diseases, such as heart disease and stroke.
- There are an estimated 42 million children under five years old who are overweight or obese globally.
- Children as young as eight are now diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a condition once limited to adults over 40.
- Today’s children may be the first generation expected to have shorter life spans than their parents.
Oliver firmly believes that food education is critical for children. He argues it’s a fundamental right for them to learn to grow and prepare nutritious meals as part of their education—a philosophy championed for decades by Alice Waters through her Edible Schoolyard project. By providing engaging and practical food education, we can equip children with the knowledge and skills needed for healthier and happier lives.
Oliver has launched a petition advocating for food education to become a mandatory aspect of school curricula worldwide. With the support of millions, he believes a movement can emerge strong enough to compel governments to take action.
Food Revolution Day began on May 15, and it’s only the start. Nearly 1.5 million signatures have already been gathered, and the number continues to grow. If you’re interested in supporting an overhaul of school lunch programs, click here. And don’t forget to share it with your friends.
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In summary, Jamie Oliver’s renewed efforts to improve school lunches and educate children about food are crucial in addressing the growing health crisis among youth. By advocating for better nutrition and food education, we can work together to create a healthier future for our children.
Keyphrase: Jamie Oliver school lunch overhaul
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