Food Revolution Heads to High School

Hey did you catch Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution on Friday night?

We did, and thought the show brought up many interesting and also sad points about the state of the way we eat in the United States.

When the show starts, Jamie is 2 or so weeks into some big changes at the local elementary school. In order to serve Jamie’s made-from-scratch menu, more people are needed in the kitchen to prep and cook all the items before the official lunch time. Of course there is also a bit of drama with the staff in the kitchen as they are becoming concerned about how they will be able to keep up with all the prep work in the future.

What we did notice when the cameras went out into the dining room were a number of students eating their veggies. WOW. This goal almost appeared unreachable in the first two shows, yet here they were eating a variety of items on their plates. There is even a close up of a student munching on a piece of broccoli.

So what does this tell us? Will we all eat better and healthier if we just place good fresh foods in our path? It started to make us think about the many choices that we make every day and how like Jamie says, a few little changes can really start something BIG.

The second point that made an impression on us that night was some of the “food ironies” that came up and was being enforced at the schools (via the USDA requirements).

Jamie has made an entree at the high school of veggie lo mien and teriyaki chicken. Now this lunch –all freshly made from fresh ingredients mind you did not pass the eagle eye of the district food rep who said that there was not enough veggie on that “meal”. OK fair enough you say, but in the same shot we are watching students take a fried, breaded chicken patty on a bun and a handful of French fries as a meal with not a veggie in the basket.

Now Jamie nicely points out this discrepancy to the district food rep, who replies something about the students can choose a salad to eat with this meal.

Oh really….

How many students do you think ran over to the salad bar to create a salad? Yes, you guessed it, not one.

What we could not get is why students could not just add that salad to Jamie’s entrée that day if this system worked so well…

Also we secretly wondered when the last time a student ever did eat a salad from that salad bar? I would have thought if ONE student had chosen a salad with all those TV cameras in the area there would have been many a close up of this amazing event.

The highlight of the night occurred when Jamie organized a group of high school students to help him spread the word about better eating at the high school (and life in general) and has the students help him cook for a 80 person fundraiser to help support better school food.

The students had only cooked with Jamie one time prior to the creation of this meal. Jamie had created a nice menu and ordered all the ingredients, but the prep work, cooking and serving of the meal was Jamie and his group of high school students.

Well, to alleviate any anxiety that you might be having at the thought of this arrangement the outcome: just Fantastic!!

They, the students, did an excellent job of executing all stages of this meal. Naturally there were a few challenges, such as burning some toast etc… but hey that could occur in anyone’s kitchen right? (It happens around here too). They best part was at the end of the meal when Jamie allows each one to say a few words to the audience of potential donors to urge them to give to the cause.

We are just enjoying this show so much! We especially love the fact that Jamie Oliver feels so passionately about his Food Revolution. He is so committed to making some BIG changes in the school lunch programs, and ultimately everyone’s kitchen.

Have you joined the Food Revolution yet? You can find out more information and sign the petition at: http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution

Have you joined yet??