Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Ends on a High Note for Los Angeles and the Nation: We Must Do Better For Our School Lunch Programs
I was glad to see the changing of the guard at the LAUSD and the man who is now in charge started to listen and respond favorably to parents, students, the concerned public, and to Jamie’s show, “The Food Revolution”.
It’s more of an evolution, when you watch this final episode of the season. The Chefs that Jamie recruited for his competition for the students were proof that food in our restaurants has evolved and that the Chefs were all appalled and refused to eat the lunch that Jamie offered to them comprised of the junk that passes for food in our public school lunch programs.
The Chefs wouldn’t eat it. They wouldn’t even feed it to their dogs, let alone to their own kids! I would have also declined the processed food that was on the plate to make the point that our students are getting inferior food every day that causes health problems like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer. No wonder our students are behind the ‘norm’ for educational proficiency when compared to other educational institutions around the world. They are eating things that do not nourish their bodies, support their brain function, or allow them to focus their attention on their studies.
We MUST do better!
It’s not a matter of politics, it’s a public trust that we owe to future generations. It’s not a matter of economics, it’s a matter of putting money into our food service system as an investment in America’s future.
I eat only organic foods and we manage to fit this into our budget. Certainly the LAUSD has enough intelligence to meet the task to make the changes to healthier food items to put on the plates of students. Even the garden with the raised beds in the West Adams school yard proves my point. The curriculum can teach students to grow food and cut the costs of food measurably while getting fresh produce, herbs, and greens from the beds during the school year.
The students who participated in the Chefs competition made me smile with happiness and hopefulness. These kids love to cook and they picked up some skills and creativity within minutes of being mentored. That’s astonishing! I hope that the school board, teachers, parents, and the public take notice of their enthusiasm, dedication, and interest in being engaged in food preparation. I saw some careers begin during this episode which will blossom as they go to the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) and work in the food industry. I am willing to bet that a good number of those kids will continue with their interest in food…healthy food.
Jamie ended with a request. He asked that all of America continue to be involved with this transformation of the public school system’s lunch program. The first step is to get rid of sugar-laden chocolate and strawberry milk from the lunchrooms. The next step is to ensure fresh produce and the devotion to making food from scratch. It’s a task worthy of everyone’s attention.
YOU can visit ABC.com and find Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution website or do a Search here on my Blog to get the URLs. Let the high note that this season ended on keep everyone moving forward for the sake of our children. It can ONLY get BETTER!
I would ask you to visit a public or private school system near you and offer to help in a garden, help in the kitchen, and help in the classrooms. These kids deserve our support. You can make a difference, if you care about the health of a nation and a generation!
