Jamie Oliver tackles fast food in schools and at home

jamie.... love what you're doing!!! i cried today when i watched the episode with the family that you have taken under your wing. you are doing an amazing thing!!! keep up the good work!!! make all of us chefs proud!!!!

I wish Jamie would come to our school. We have a health and wellness teacher and have worked hard to educate students on healthy food choices. Jamie we would love to see you at New River Elementary School in Oak Hill, WV. Come for a visit! Contact the principal!

I have always known what a problem this is and I admire him for taking this on. It's huge and I totally support his efforts. It really was a disgrace that the kids are in school and don't even know the names of ANY vegetables ( 2nd episode ).

I think this is great. I worked full time while having my ADHD kid on an all natural diet, which helped tremendously and kept him off all the pills. I made sure he ate right and was active. Now as adults, both my children are very concious of what and how much they eat and how to stay healthy. I don't get why the town is fighting him on something that's just good common sense. Wake up America. Fast food may be a good first job but it's not a healthy life style.

Thanks for posting about this show. It's great to see someone so passionate. I hope someday I work with such passion.

I grew up in rural upstate NY in the 1970s and I am grateful I worked alongside my dad in the garden and alongside my mom in the kitchen. If I didn't have these experiences, I wonder if I would be the same as these kids? It makes me sad other kids didn't have my experience.

i think it is a great idea to do i mean if you take a look at the food they hey give in schools it is gross i would know my school lunch seems so unhealthy

I'm a 53 yr old person who changed her diet at the age of 16 when the first natural food coop opened in my home town. I eat almost no sugar, buy little or no prepared processed food, read every label, avoid high fructose corn syrup, try to buy organic,etc., and for the most part, cook everything from scratch. The time factor involved - shopping, cleaning, chopping, cooking whole grains, etc., is more than the average porcine American even has a clue. I am astounded at this country's ignorance regarding food. One of the looming questions in my mind is how the processed food corporations and agribusiness people are going to go down without a fight - a big fight - not to mention the attendant jobs on all levels. Lots of people make lots of money on the factory crap America calls food - it's a very complicated situation and everyone has a lot of work to do. Thank you Jamie Oliver for your high profile efforts (you're delightful to watch) and thanks for the efforts of the common folk out here on the front lines that understand the complexities of the situation. It's a long row to hoe, but hoe we must.

I started a hot lunch program at my kids' school; there wasn't one in place. I take pride in the homemade "real food" I'm preparing for the kids, but after seeing Jamie Oliver's show about the school lunches, I'm giving myself a great big pat on the back. I've been able to accomplish what Jamie is so desparately trying to do. Fortunately, I didn't have to go through all of the red-tape and jump through hoops to get the "power's that be" to understand the commom sense that should go into feeding our children. I applaud your efforts, Jamie! Good luck with your battle - I pray that you win the war!

One day on my radio show, Mama Rose's Kitchen (www.roseskitchen.com), I called each grammar school in our area to see what was for lunch. They all had chicken on the menu, but no one could tell me how the chicken was being cooked, who distributed the meat, nor if it was fresh. We're trying to have our own food revolution here in northern California, but it is slow going (Chef Ann Cooper led the way in Berkeley, CA) and has been a guest on my show a few times. I'm a volunteer programmer on KZFR 90. FM. Would Jamie join me for an interview via phone sometime. The more folks hear the hard facts about obesity and nutrition, the better (and I've exhausted my lecturing to them). Thanks for the good work Jamie.

Jamie-I appreciate your efforts.I share all your dreams about helping people learn the value and joy of preparing and eating good. healthy, real food. As an educator of young adults with learning disabilities, I teach a Food Lab where the students learn to cook basic meals, I hope to prepare them to become independent adults who will carry their message to their family and friends. I want the book that I am writing to spread the word beyond my students. How can I help you share your message? Thank you for making this mission fun.

Jamie, let me get this straight. That's 450 meals twice a day for a total of 900. From what I can see that's 900 plastic milk containers a day, let's say even 800. At five days per week that's 4,000 plastic milk containers, among other plastics I have watched go into a garbage can. I love what you are doing, but if this is fact, than it must stop immediately, and a recycling system put into place yesterday. Bless your soul Jamie.

Unfortunately, the people that are aware and in tune watch shows like this(and Food Inc) . The people that need to be watching and are not, as they are watching mindless reality shows instead , will not receive the message. The DJ on Jamie's show is indicative of the level of understanding that many have. People have lost touch with themselves, their bodies, traditions, and common sense...Agri business has duped everyone into forgetting what we have learned over hundreds of generations - a huge step backwards instead of forwards and as a result, the children of today, will not enjoy the longevity that we have achieved due to lifestyle choices and complacency.

We are a soup kitchen and food pantry located in New Rochelle, NY.
This week we received a donation from a local elementary school that had just celebrated "No Junk Food Week". This school has for the past 4 years promoted a healthy diet & lifestyle to address childhood obesity.
As part of their week long celebration the staff at this school sponsored "Fruity Friday" selling fresh fruit for all students to enjoy. Judging by the donation we received, the children were more than happy to trade their processed sweets for fresh fruit. Please keep up the good work and know that some schools out there already making an effort.

My son's school only heats processed food and there are no meals prepared. Unfortunately he has grown to like it and has made meal preparation at home a chore. I'm taking control and having him pack his own lunch. He may be eating a lot of PB&J…Jamie, please come to our town!

Jamie,
You're doing an awesome job. I wish this would open up people's mind and eyes. Please, keep up the great work. And help America get healthier.
Thank you.

Patricia

Jamie, We are so impressed with your show and your mission to change the school food programs. I've been so upset with the USDA guide lines. I can't believe the foods that are acceptable to serve our children in elementary and high schools. Please continue. Perhaps you will be heard on a National scale, then we parents and grandparents will also be heard.

Jamie,
I loved what you did in West Virginia, your warm vibrant personality really moved me. I am 57 years old and grew up with a French mother and a father who was in the restaurant business, so food was very important to us. I never ate frozen, canned or process food unless I was invited to a friends home for diner. I thank god my parents raised me on good healty food. I would love to work with you or for you in some way if you return to do more school programs. My cooking skills are excellent

@karen, some people may not afford to buy the organic food you can afford as it is sufficiently more expensive. Has it ever occurred to you?