Jamie Oliver
P.O. Box 51372
London
N1 7WX
England
Dear Mr. Oliver,
I see that you are doing in England similar things to what Alice Waters is doing here in the Bay Area in California. That is, you are working to get school kids eating better food. While it comes as no shock that the kids often balk at having the usual greasy fare replaced with healthier alternatives, I was surprised to read that this type of program has met strong resistance from parents. Some apparently bring fast-food take-out to their kids at lunch!
It must truly be difficult for these parents, for if their kids refuse to eat anything but the junk they’re used to, their parents might naturally be afraid that their kids just won’t get fed. What is a parent to do? Around here parents and educators have various opinions on the matter as well. Of course parents want their kids to eat something, and if they don’t want “gourmet food,” a pack of greasy fries (chips to you) is better than nothing, right? Some say you can provide healthy food without going overboard with the haute cuisine.
On behalf of America, I would like to apologize for sending the plague of McDonalds and other establishments of that ilk to your shores. I recently read that the amount of cooking oil children consume in the UK due to their “crisp habits” is astounding.
Changes are coming about slowly, and even as they do, a huge number of America’s kids are receiving poor nutrition both at school and at home. I imagine the case is very similar there. Thanks for your efforts in providing kids the opportunity to be healthier, thus giving them better odds for future happiness and success.
Truly,
Liz Mann
