Editorial
There has also been close cooperation with the food industry in research into fortifying and enriching food products which might simplify school feeding in schools which lack space and food preparation facilities.—USDA National School Lunch Program History
America was founded upon a set of ideals. None more inspiring than the notion through hard work and enterprise, we may afford our children when they grow up, the opportunity to enjoy a better life than that of their parents.
Last Friday evening (March 26, 2010) on ABC television, a remarkable thing occurred. Jamie Oliver, a British chef and television celebrity host, introduced his new television show, Food Revolution; Oliver is determined to deliver healthy food to kids in school. His stated goal is to change the way America’s kids eat!
I had heard of this show, and I was quite skeptical that any network would take on the real issues that underlie the problems we face with our food system—especially those relating to the public schools. After watching the second part of this two-hour season premiere, I found it to be: brilliant!
In a rare display of balance between art (entertainment) and education, ABC and in this case, credit to the executive producer’s: Ryan Seacrest, Jaime Oliver, also the host, and Craig Armstrong, for keeping it relatively pure. Watching Jaime Oliver, I found myself being entertained, outraged, saddened (though not surprised), and also hopeful (this was a surprise). For if the show continues on in this vein, it possibly will accomplish more than all the grassroots food organizations and food activists can hope to achieve—it will educate mainstream America about our food system, and in so doing, may lead to a true food revolution. Read More
A fourth generation farmer, his great-grandfather planted the first fields of rice in 1916 – so they are coming up on 100 years of rice growing. Quite a feat, considering so many family farms have gone under or exchanged hands over the years, let alone stay in the family and continue growing the same crop. 