Jamie Oliver

[wdwiala]

We, as a country, have allowed our school lunches to become this. When I was in elem. school, everything was home made. It was wonderful! Then, I changed schools and could not believe the reheated crap that they served. I lived on crackers and milk for years.

I am not an angel but it's pathetic how little concern that we have over what goes into our childrens bodies. I send a lunch to school with my child every day and the sad part is that she likes the processed school lunches.

Anyway, my point is that if we cared we would find a way to do better for our kids and quit building "kitchens" in our schools that are big reheating closets.

As for the show, I should have eaten dinner first. I'm not feeling so good now. Gag.

 

[Imzadi]

I watched the show while waiting for DWTS to come on. While I get he cares about food and getting people to eat better, I found a good bit of the show a waste of time. He spent more time alienating people and NOT getting results.

He brought in no verifiable paperwork to back his statistics. He basically said that England & Europe eat better & differently, which while may be true, is irrelevant to the CA situation, and they tossed him out on his ear because of it. Had he been an American and said that, he might have had some weight. With his British accent, he just sounded arrogant and superior.

The whole section of going into a fast food restaurant was a total waste of time. As the owner said, if you want filet minon and to pay those prices, people go elsewhere. They go to him because he's quick & cheap. Jamie didn't understand, know who your customers are. It's a friggin burger joint, not a health food restaurant.

 

[redlight]

I can't stand him. I'd like to see him do something realistic with school lunch, not bring in chefs and provide food on an unlimited budget. Let's stick the budget the schools get for free & reduced kids and then see what he does.

What a crock.

...let me tell you how I really feel...

I agree with you. He seemed too much of a showboating egomaniac to me.

 

[GinnyEmma]

It is sad that the people that should be wanting better food for the kids in school fight so hard against it. The schools need to hire people as lunch ladies who aren't afraid of work when it will benefit the kids.

Disliking someone because they are from a different country or because they have an accent? Well that is pathetic.

 

[phorsenuf]

It is sad that the people that should be wanting better food for the kids in school fight so hard against it. The schools need to hire people as lunch ladies who aren't afraid of work when it will benefit the kids.

Disliking someone because they are from a different country or because they have an accent? Well that is pathetic.

Have you ever worked as a lunch lady? I have, in fact is was one of my favorite jobs, and we did work hard thank you very much. But when you are only allowed so much money for so many kids, never mind being restricted by how many hours you can work, then there is only so much you can do.
I watched an episode last year and couldn't believe it. He has no idea how a school kitchen functions and I laughed if he honestly thought his ideas could be used. The school only has a budget for so many people and so many hours. To do the things he wanted would go over that. It's was unrealistic.

So instead of having issues with lunch ladies, have an issue with the town that sets the budget and controls the policies.

 

[GinnyEmma]

I worked in the cafeteria in college as a food prep person. It takes work. Big whup. I was being paid to work. If they are being paid or are subsidizing their child's education they need to be ready to do something other than push some buttons in the microwave.!

Eta: called away

Anyway,!some of the ideas he proposed are still being used. There were healthier options even within the sometimes stupid rules. If kids lives are improved by simple things like adding fresh veggies rather than canned people should be willing to work to make that happen.

 

[npmommie]

I didn't even see the show! we got home late from gymnastics, so I will be watching it later today.........
interesting to hear what you all say about it

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I watched the show last night and I feel like he does and we do need to feed our children the best way WE can.

The School Budget only has so much money, if he wants healthier foods to be served then everyone's taxes will go up.

The cost of eating healthy at least in this country is quite expensive, dont' care what you say.

Not everyone has a Farmer's Market near them etc. but Whole Food and even Trader Joes are expensive.

I also remember that I really didnt like our school lunch and it was gross, but I brought my own. Not saying it was healthy but I didnt' bring a salad for lunch. I brought a sandwhich with an apple or maybe a yogurt, and I did have something sweet for dessert. It wasn't a huge portion. Some kids didn't even eat lunch because they had no money. I remember them coming around to the table just trying to get a quarter so they could but a cookie or get .75 to buy fries so they could eat. Now that I look back it was pretty sad.

What he tried to do with that Fast Food Place was a good idea BUT again he had a point, it wasn't that it tasted bad it was great but his back end was going to go up so he has to raise prices and he probably would lose some customers. It will be interesting to see what happens this season.

 

[GinnyEmma]

I think so to. I think there are always ways to improve the situation. Those packets of "food" were nasty. Schools would benefit from decreasing administration and taking care of kids.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I did not watch the show but it has been interesting reading the responses to it here.
I could not even get water in our middle school despite repeated efforts. I was told by the powers that be (which ultimately was the Nutrition Dept) that it had no significant nutritional value. Yet the kids had access to garbage sugar energy drinks and even a soda machine (after school hours during Xtra Curric's) .
They have since removed the soda completely and added "real" juice, and the same energy drinks but STILL no water allowed.
So, kids can again buy Sugar but not drink water unless it is out of the nasty fountains (which you are even lucky to find one in working order )
I'll never understand it........

 

[TB'sWidow]

Someone said here that the lunch ladies don't want to work hard. That's a pretty broad statement to make. We are only given 3hrs to work and that includes making & serving the food for 3 grades that's it. To do what everyong wants ad far as fresh product you need to pay the lunch ladies for 8hrs of work that is what would be required to pull off the fresh product. I'm all for it if someone has a more realistic solution. Mary

 

[rchristiansen]

I could not even get water in our middle school despite repeated efforts. I was told by the powers that be (which ultimately was the Nutrition Dept) that it had no significant nutritional value. .

I gave up and just send a bottled water with DD8 to school. Could you do that? She watched it with us last night and now knows why water is better. She also had to walk out of the room during the ammonia over the beef demonstration. I knew what was coming because I've seen Food Inc. She asked us "Why in the world would anyone want to eat THAT?"

But I'll say it again, our school district has made significant improvements in the lunches this year. During the show last night DD looked at the lunch menu: 14 lunches this month are "prepared from scratch". (Out of 3 weeks with 2 options per day - we are missing one week for spring break)

 

[Wishing on a star]

it's pathetic how little concern that we have over what goes into our childrens bodies.

AMEN!!!!!!

What passes for food and even drinking water in this country is toxic crap, plain and simple....

Maybe if one just does not jive with Jamie's personality, hey, whatever...
But it is very, VERY, clear here, to the 'haters'... that this is a very simple case of don't like the message... hate the messenger.

His message ROCKS!!!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

And, the whole 'on budget' thing...
What an unbelieveable CROC of an excuse.

1. Try telling that to my mom who fed a HUGE family healthy food for a fraction of what people spend on what Jamie calls 'processed crap'.

2. Nutrition is a necessity... it is not something extra that should be subjec to 'budget'... If a district is not financially able to provide moderately healthy nutrition for the children... then that is a problem that they need to address ASAP. Hey, we can't afford real food... how about Alpo... I mean really, that is what it amounts to!

 

[tlbwriter]

The schools need to hire people as lunch ladies who aren't afraid of work when it will benefit the kids.

Why slam the lunch ladies? Why are you assuming they are lazy or afraid of work? It's more likely that their hours are limited due to budget restrictions, and they simply don't have the time to prepare food from scratch unless someone comes up with funding to let them work longer hours. If you're going to slam anyone, slam the people who vote against school funding.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Someone said here that the lunch ladies don't want to work hard. That's a pretty broad statement to make. We are only given 3hrs to work and that includes making & serving the food for 3 grades that's it. To do what everyong wants ad far as fresh product you need to pay the lunch ladies for 8hrs of work that is what would be required to pull off the fresh product. I'm all for it if someone has a more realistic solution. Mary

Sorry, around here I have never heard of a lunch staff that only worked three hours....
So, I find your comments to be, possibly, self-incriminating... and an 'excuse'.

Heck, our lunch lines in our elementary schools run for over two full hours, The staff is at the school before the kids ever arrive, and they are there until the lunch facilities are cleaned and shut down. I estimate 7.5 hours. Which is standard, full time, full benefits, work hours for our public service employees here. ( I know, my husband actually works for the State.)

I see a huge problem (and a huge 'excuse') in what you have just posted.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Why slam the lunch ladies? Why are you assuming they are lazy or afraid of work? It's more likely that their hours are limited due to budget restrictions, and they simply don't have the time to prepare food from scratch unless someone comes up with funding to let them work longer hours. If you're going to slam anyone, slam the people who vote against school funding.

Because the lunchadiea were half the problem in charleston. Alsounch ladies at the first to wine about how it can't be dine, etc. When people would eager cling to easy bad for you rather than work harder, and do what is right for the kids even if it takes a bit of work. The lunch ladies in a local elementary manage to process veggies, make homemade rolls and the majority of the meal in the 3 allotted hours. So I love love love them.

 

[tlbwriter]

I find it interesting that some of you seem to live in areas where the lunch ladies have control over the menu. In my district, all menus are set (and I assume all purchasing is done) by a central office, and the lunch ladies couldn't decide to serve something different even if they wanted to.

 

[GinnyEmma]

I find it interesting that some of you seem to live in areas where the lunch ladies have control over the menu. In my district, all menus are set (and I assume all purchasing is done) by a central office, and the lunch ladies couldn't decide to serve something different even if they wanted to.

Maybe it depends on the size of the district. The grade school that I mentioned is the only one in a small wv rural county.

 

[kacaju]

Sorry, around here I have never heard of a lunch staff that only worked three hours....
So, I find your comments to be, possibly, self-incriminating... and an 'excuse'.

Heck, our lunch lines in our elementary schools run for over two full hours, The staff is at the school before the kids ever arrive, and they are there until the lunch facilities are cleaned and shut down. I estimate 7.5 hours. Which is standard, full time, full benefits, work hours for our public service employees here. ( I know, my husband actually works for the State.)

I see a huge problem (and a huge 'excuse') in what you have just posted.

Did you ever think that the lunch ladies come in at different times?? I am a lunch lady and while it is true *my kitchen* opens at 7am to start cooking
I do not start work until 10am to 2 pm Not quite the 7.5 hours is it?

Yes their are a few *full time* lunch ladies, but most of us only work a 4-4.5 hour day.
This way...there are only...say...3 lunch ladies who are working to cook and prep the food. Most of us come in to do some prep and then serve.