JAMIE OLIVER'S FOOD REVOLUTION
MARCH 21, 2010-JUNE 24, 2011
Having never seen the first season of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, I must admit I felt a bit disadvantaged on April 12th. So much so that I only had it on the boob tube because the television was set for No Ordinary Family. After the first segment was completed, I found myself yelling at those in charge who were acting like communist, money grubbing, poor-sport 6 year olds who still live in the 1920's and their cohorts who could not wipe their own butts without the handwritten consent of Hitler himself.
The indistinguishable camera work did not allow for any faces to actually match the name plates appearing before the board of the L.A. school district meeting that Jamie attended. Not willing to let these people off the hook, I have included the names involved: Superintendent "Ramon C. Cortines", district 1: Marquerite Poindexter Lamotte, district 2: Monica Garcia, district 3: Tamar Galatzan, district 4: Steve Zimmer, district 5: Yolie Flores Aquilar, district 6: Nury Martinez and district 7: Richard Vladovic. Each one of these people should return the pay that they received for that day because not one of these people was willing to do their job. They seemed so afraid that it was like their bosses were mob connected and they would be shot dead upon stepping out of the meeting.
Jamie was directed by the speaker "?" (Crappy camera work does not allow the specific name to be visible) to the head of food services, Dennis Barrett, who is silently directed not to speak to Jamie. Oliver's excitement that he will be able to speak to someone just bursts out of the screen only to be squashed as L.A.U.S.D. director of communications, Robert Alaniz emerges from the auditorium. Alaniz informs Jamie that he needs to submit a request. Are you kidding me? Guns run ramped throughout the L.A. school system daily and these suit & tie idiots are scared to implement good and healthy food.
Oliver deals with a fast food owner (Dino Perris) who is willing to have a dialogue about healthy food versus typical drive-thru food. Patra's is a traditional charbroiled burger joint where grease is the word. Jamie, having been turned down by several of the large fast food giants, turns his attention to the small restaurant business owner. They do have moments of entanglement concerning Dino's need to make money and support his family and Jamie's push for a healthier menu. The feeling is that Dino often does a bit more giving and is open to a 50/50 split allowing an extended list of available burgers. Jamie pushes a bit too hard but seems to know when to step back.
I fully support the journey that Jamie Oliver is on. This was not a show on our radar as we really have become more particular in the reality shows up for review. This is a meat & potatoes documentary necessity to America and the obesity issue that we need to address. Parents take note: if you don’t send your children to school with their own good food they may be getting garbage that you would not feed to your dog. Take charge, speak out and let us learn from Jamie Oliver and his food revolution.
RUSTY
4/12/11
