School children learn about healthy sugars in fruit at Jamie’s Italian SA. Photo supplied.

Through his Food Revolution, chef Jamie Oliver has made great strides in improving meals at schools in the UK and US, and the movement has now made its first step in South Africa. On 19 May, the day his campaign has labelled Food Revolution Day, Jamie’s Italian in Johannesburg held a healthy-eating workshop for primary school learners to further educate them on the importance of eating wholesome food at a young age.

The global Food Revolution aims to provoke debate and inspire real change in the way children access, consume and understand food, ultimately to impact laws, policies, practices and minds. With this goal in mind, a class of grade three pupils was invited to visit Jamie’s Italian in Melrose Arch to participate in a healthy eating workshop, a tour of the restaurant with head chef Shane Smit, and a nutritious lunch with their teachers.

Grade three learners participate in a workshop at Jamie’s Italian SA. Photo supplied.

The children learned how to build a healthy breakfast with a food kit. Shane explains, “Sugar is the most harmful ingredient we can feed our children. Look to natural alternatives for sugar found in wholesome fruits and vegetables. This generation is our future and we need to think long-term and not just for today.”

Jamie’s Italian head chef Shane Smit and the school children after the workshop. Photo supplied.

On a related note, don’t forget that Eat Out pledges a nutritious meal for a hungry child for every restaurant review posted by a reader. Write a review now to feed a child through Stop Hunger Now SA.