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Get Set for the School Lunch Transformation, Thanks to Chef Jamie Oliver
by Emily Raines
Updated: March 2, 2021
Originally Published: May 19, 2015
Renowned British chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver is reigniting his Food Revolution, and it’s time for parents to rally behind his enhanced mission to make school lunches not only healthier but also more enjoyable for our kids.
In 2008, I had the chance to speak with Oliver after he successfully revamped school lunches in the U.K. He demonstrated to lawmakers how to provide nutritious and tasty meals for students using the same amount of tax dollars—meals that weren’t deep-fried or unrecognizable, unlike that appalling fish sandwich that went viral recently, shocking parents everywhere.
Oliver’s journey to improve food quality in U.S. schools has faced numerous obstacles. In 2011, while living in Los Angeles, I watched him tackle these challenges head-on with his now-canceled ABC series, Food Revolution. Unfortunately, political disputes and vendor conflicts forced him out of the city. School officials even called the police on Oliver and his crew, trying to halt their efforts to bring fresh ingredients to school lunches in Southern California.
I’m thrilled to see that Chef Oliver hasn’t given up. Just last week, he launched Food Revolution Day 2015, which introduces a new petition aimed at parents in G20 countries—including Argentina, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, South Korea, Turkey, and of course, the United States. He’s encouraging us to urge our elected representatives to enhance the quality of lunch options for our children in public schools.
Why is this important?
Because our children’s poor diets are jeopardizing their health and, ultimately, our future. With many schools offering vending machines filled with sugary drinks and salty snacks, alongside daily servings of pizza and fries, our efforts at home to promote healthy eating are being undermined.
Here are some alarming statistics from Oliver’s video:
- G20 nations are experiencing a rise in preventable, diet-related illnesses such as stroke and heart disease.
- There are 42 million children under the age of 5 globally who are classified as overweight or obese.
- Kids as young as 8 are now being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a condition that used to primarily affect adults aged 40 and older.
- Today’s children are the first generation expected to have shorter lifespans than their parents.
Oliver believes that teaching food education is a fundamental right that every child should receive. He advocates for incorporating lessons on growing and cooking fresh, nutritious food into school curriculums, a message echoed by Alice Waters through her Edible Garden initiative. By equipping children with practical food knowledge in a fun and engaging manner, we can combat the escalating obesity crisis and related diseases worldwide.
Through this education, we can empower kids to lead healthier, happier lives. It’s essential that practical food education becomes a mandatory aspect of every school curriculum globally, which is why I’ve supported a petition calling for action from all G20 nations. With enough backing from millions worldwide, I truly believe we can create a movement that compels governments to act.
Although Food Revolution Day kicked off on May 15, this is only the beginning. Nearly 1.5 million signatures have already been gathered, and that number continues to climb. If you wish to support a transformation of school lunch programs, click here. And don’t forget to share it with your friends!
This article was originally published on May 19, 2015.
Summary
Jamie Oliver is re-launching his Food Revolution to improve school lunches globally. With alarming rates of childhood obesity and diet-related illnesses, he urges parents to advocate for better food education and healthier meal options in public schools. Oliver’s petition is gaining momentum, highlighting the crucial need for practical food education in schools to help combat the health crisis affecting today’s children.