The food movement has many faces. I often give Michael Pollan or Alice Waters or even Michelle Obama all the attention, but I think it’s high time we praise the activists from the other side. The other side of the ocean, that is. Introducing to you, Mr. Jamie Oliver.
Part prime-time personality, food activist, culinary celebrity and sexy man in the kitchen (aka “The Naked Chef,”) Jamie is driving the food movement to higher ground. Utilizing his fame and wealth, he created the Fifteen Foundation in England (and other cities) to train youth from disadvantaged situations in the restaurant business. He also started some television shows in England and now America, where he teaches families how to eat healthier food.
The video above is an awesome performance by Mr. Oliver, as he inspires the best of us trying to make sense of the food movement’s purpose and direction. After watching the video I was truly energized for the work I am trying to do. I also found his video to be an engaging narrative for the ideas I espouse on the blog and around town.
For all the politics of the local food movement, I appreciate the fact that Mr. Oliver puts a human face on the problems we face today. For all the devastation of processed foods on public health, I find it completely reassuring to know and hear, that we can prevent the bad things from happening. We can educate one another on healthy eating choices. We can teach one another how to cook. We can change to the way we eat and live. Sometimes it just takes a speech like this to re-light the fire under our bums.
Related posts:
- I Thought I was Starting the Food Revolution!?
- Food in the News
- The “hidden cost” of convenience (follow-up)
- Cookbooks – What do you have? What do you want?
- An Intentional Local Food System
Tags: education, food literacy, Food Politics, local food movement, Michael Pollan