Let the Revolution Begin!

British chef and media sensation Jamie Oliver has brought his campaign to change the way people eat to the United States. He chose to start his Food Revolution in Huntington, West Virginia, one of the most overweight and unhealthy places in America. Some of the people in Huntington do not appreciate when their city is put in this light, but the truth is they aren’t that much different than any other place in America. At stake is, well, almost everything. I have enlisted to help and I hope you will join us.

Obesity has brought a staggering increase in diabetes, heart disease and countless other health problems. We spend untold millions of dollars on health care costs each year due to our fatness. But, that is just money. Obesity and unhealthy eating habits are exacting an even greater toll on the American family and our nation. A child who exists on chicken nuggets, pizza, French fries and other processed foods is not going to develop properly. He will fall short of his potential and the cold, hard truth is he will live a shorter life. We are the greatest nation on earth and we produce much of the world’s food, but we often eat like college students the morning after an all-night drinking binge. Americans simply are squandering our collective future and greatness, because we eat junk.

Jamie Oliver’s efforts in Huntington have been chronicled in an ABC mini-series Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. It airs Fridays at 8:00 p.m. The show is a somewhat frightening and disgusting look at how many Americans eat. Oliver modeled this current effort after a successful campaign he launched in the U.K. a short time ago that resulted in a revamping of that country’s school lunch program and another aimed at how the British eat at home.

Before you write Oliver and the rest of us off as lettuce chomping, boring food nuts, you should know that we stand for something greater. Eating well means enjoying food that tastes as good as it is good for you.

The following is Jamie Oliver’s mission:
“I believe that every child in America has the right to fresh, nutritious school meals, and that every family deserves real, honest, wholesome food. Too many people are being affected by what they eat. It's time for a national revolution. America needs to stand up for better food!

You live in an amazing country full of inspirational people and you have the power to change things. With your help, we can get better food into homes, schools and communities all over America and give your kids a better future.

Sign the petition to save America's cooking skills and improve school food. It could be the most important thing you ever do for your family. America's health needs you now!”

Our local grocery store devotes twenty (20!) frozen food cases to pizza. The chip and cookie aisles are jammed packed with choices. Did you ever notice that all of the processed foods like those exist in the center aisles of your store? My wife and I signed on as ‘revolutionaries’ some time back. We keep mostly to the outer ring of the store these days – the produce section, fresh meats, dairy, etc. can be found there. We avoid foods that come packaged in bags and boxes. Unexpectedly, we have rediscovered the joy of eating.

Will you join us in the outer ring of the store? Our country and your kids are counting on you.

This entry was first published as a Des Moines Register blog entry.