Looks like blogging isn't the only way or the best way to to start a revolution!
If only I were British, wealthy, studly and a super talented chef – then, and only then could I have my face on the image above.
Well it turns out that other people – lots of folks – want to earn the grand recognition Mr. Oliver will receive for his new TV show, “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.” America’s love for over-the-top sensationalism will push the local food movement to the masses like never before. As a food activist in my own right, I take no offense by Mr. Oliver’s good intention. That said, my role in the food movement is puny compared to the powerful forces of food movement celebrities, i.e. Michael Pollan, Alice Waters, Joel Salatin, etc.
In fact, I see this show as an opportunity to exploit the realities of America’s addiction to junk food. Yes, the show has some faults but ultimately, I think this sort of media frenzy could be a good thing. The problem for other people, individuals and groups whose participation in the food movement far precedes Mr. Olver, is the lack of recognition for the hard work that has been done thus far across the nation.
For example, the National Farm to School Network has spent tons of energy and lobbying to change the way school food is budgeted and served to school children every day. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Debra Eschmeyer would be frustrated with Mr. Oliver’s rather cocky attitude on the show. Debra, director of the National Farm to School Network, is all to familiar with the challenges put forth by our bureaucratic governement and its endless umbrellas of institutions, associations and organizations. She is one of many people deserving recognition for the food revolution.
At one point during the first episode, Mr. Oliver discovers that the USDA’s nutritional standards are the backbone of junky lunch food in schools; he is incredibly shocked and dismayed (as he should be.) And though the average parent will share this discomfort, many people have known this issue and fought it for many years.
Unlike the numerous organizations that are fighting for healthier and more just food policies, Mr. Oliver is actually (in my opinion) more grassroots. The show is an opportunity for him to impact the food policies in America. And yet to make this possible, he’s exposing the diets of everyday people to the larger public. One person’s sensationalism is another man’s (or woman’s) reality. He wants to teach people to cook for themselves and to improve school food. The goals overlap and are worthwhile in their own right.
As someone who wants to participate in the revolution, specifically by empowering families with skills, knowledge and resources, I too want to help American families eat healthier. Any of my reader’s want to put me on the cover of Time magazine?!
Related posts:
- Food Corps
- The Food Revolution (has begun)
- An Intentional Local Food System
- School Gardens are All the Rage – Resources to Join the Movement
- Food Revolution – One Class at a Time
Tags: education, food literacy, local food movement, USDA
Sure, I’ll put you on a magazine cover. Anyone who is standing up and pushing the food revolution is deserving. Every person, no matter how small their contribution may seem, is slowly chipping away at the bad habits that have been building up over the years. My mother worked for a school district in Los Angeles county for many years (not L.A. Unified but they were doing the same) and during that time I watched school meals go from being cooked entirely in the school cafeteria, to “de-evolution” of processed, pre-packaged foods shipped to a central kitchen where they were picked up for the serve and reheat routine at each individual school. Parents, generally speaking, are too trusting and give up too much power to the schools. Furthermore, the truth is, very few people know how to cook anymore nor do they want to so why should it matter to them how their children are eating. I’m not trying to be too cynical but I see how home cooking has become downgraded over the decades. I saw Jaime Oliver’s show just last night online and aside from the usual reality tv show drama, it was not bad but I can see how people will latch onto his philosophy as a fad then give it up because at their core, they don’t want to do anything more difficult than ordering at the drive thru. We may have changed our core values too greatly to be saved.