Jamie Oliver has partnered with a London council to launch the first-ever food education programme directly targeted at primary schools amid rising rates of childhood obesity.
The popular TV chef, 49, will deliver the Ministry of Food programme in partnership with Hounslow Council to aid schools struggling with deprivation and obesity.
Rates of obesity in Hounslow are among the highest in London, with nearly a fifth (18.5 per cent) of children in Reception in the borough classified as overweight or obese, rising to 40 per cent in Year 6.
Six in ten (61.7 per cent) adults in the borough are classed as obese or overweight.
The programme will see Oliver train 14 teachers, parents and community workers in essential skills including food safety and hygiene, nutrition, food waste and healthy cooking.
Once they complete the course, each of the 14 trainers will translate the information into eight practical lessons with families from primary schools in target areas.
Each of these eight lessons will be delivered to ten people, with hopes that it will create a “ripple” effect where skills are passed on in the community. The council aims to educate 1,120 people in the first year of the programme.
Oliver said: “We know that the earlier you can get kids excited about food and nutrition, the better. Right now the system is stacked against us. Not only is our food environment flooded with high-sugar/salt options that are especially targeted at young people, but generations are losing the skill to cook for themselves.
“There is no easy fix when it comes to obesity, and the issue certainly can’t be solved through cooking alone.
“Independent research from our Ministry of Food programme has shown that people who take part eat 1.5 more portions of fruit and veg a day, and consume fewer unhealthy snacks and takeaways too.”
Oliver has been a vocal campaigner for improving nutrition for children and claimed earlier this year that teaching children to cook “is as important as maths”.
Each primary school participating in the programme will receive a £500 starter kit, including any equipment and utensils the school lacks, to allow the trainers to teach their sessions.
The programme was launched alongside Hounslow Labour councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces.
He said: “Childhood obesity rates are a ticking time bomb. Evidence shows that being overweight in childhood leads to serious health problems in adulthood. What’s worse, it’s those children in the most deprived areas that are most impacted, entrenching inequalities and poorer life chances.
“We must act from an early age to support the health of our children and education is the key…. The ripple effect of this programme will help tackle entrenched health inequalities and create a healthier Hounslow for the next generation.”
