This week, Jamie Oliver received a prize of $100,000 from TED, a non-profit about spreading ideas, for his efforts in bringing attention to the obesity crisis. He also gave a talk at the TED conference, which is famous for their twenty-minute videos. His talk focused on obesity in America, specifically on what kids are eating in schools. After he demonstrated how much sugar a child will consume from drinking milk alone during the elementary school years–using a wheelbarrow–he gave his ideas on improving our food system, saying “We need to re-boot.” Here are Oliver’s points of entry for change, followed by the talk:
Jamie Oliver’s ideas for changing the food system:
- Put food “ambassadors” in supermarkets to inform buyers about cooking and to help consumers make good choices
- Big brands should put food education at the heart of their business
- Fast food should be part of the solution by working with government to help wean people off excess fat, salt and sugar
- Better labeling
- Fresh food should be cooked on site at schools
- Every child should learn how to cook ten simple recipes by the time they leave school
- Corporate responsibility should include a plan for making sure employees are fed well
- Cooking should be passed on in the home as a vital philosophy
- Re-instate local institutions like community kitchens that teach cooking lessons
- Identify the experts and “angels” already doing this work and help them get access to resources
- Businesses in America should support what First Lady Obama is doing at the White House
Here is the talk:
Part of winning the TED prize is the development of a “wish” for changing to world. TED actually seeks to help prize winners organize around their wish, and the audience (virtual and real) were mobilized to begin to connect a willing team of participants on all fronts, including publicity, finding office space, developing campaigns, building a website, etc.
Here is his wish:
I wish for everyone to help create a strong sustainable movement to educate every child about food, to inspire families to cook again and to empower people everywhere to fight obesity.