Locals review "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution"

Dr. Harry Tweel on the final episode

2010-04-24T16:55:00.001-04:00

Dr. Harry Tweel is the director of the Cabell-Huntington Health Department.

The final episode of the Jamie Oliver’s food revolution not only shows the difficulty of addressing an entrenched cultural problem; but how it is tied to the whole national system from the USDA guidelines and rules to an individuals personal choices for themselves & their families.

In the 1930’s & 40’s, the problem was under nutrition and the carryover solutions led to the development of cheaper, high calorie fat and sugar rich foods. Then two parents in the workforce left the perception that healthy cooking was too expensive and too time consuming.

Jamie’s final show says that Huntington is aware of this local and national problem: but still has many obstacles to overcome. His challenge to keep the revolution going gives Huntington the opportunity with his national public focus to keep the effort alive. We should continue and become the poster city….”Huntington, we are the food revolution!”

How can we do this? First, pull the community together. By trying to be the outsider bringing change to us, Jamie overlooked the Appalachian West Virginia culture. We need to correct this by engaging the local community & professional groups who are and have been dealing with these issues to support a unified community effort. Second, with this combined community wide approach, we can demand and with the help of West Virginia’s federal legislative influence change the USDA’s guidelines and rules currently being debated in Washington to require healthier school lunches.

Let’s use Jamie’s initial national push to make Huntington a leading example of the way to a healthier tasty lifestyle for our children and ourselves. Yes Jamie “we can demand more."

Mary Cook on final episode

2010-04-24T14:43:00.002-04:00

Mary Cook works at Village of Barboursville Elementary as cafeteria manager. She is a resident of Barboursville and has been employed by the Cabell County Board of Education for 19 years. Before Village of Barboursville Elementary, she worked at Cabell Midland High School as a cook and Huntington High as a cafeteria manager. She graduated from Marshall University and has worked in some form of the food industry since she was 14. She had her own catering business for 10 years. She was president of the Parent-Teacher Association at Barboursville Elementary School for four years and Cabell County PTA president for two years. She has two children, three stepchildren and eight grandchildren.

I thought that the final episode had a different feel to it then previous shows. I felt that the Jamie's journey was quite interesting, he is a go getter and very motivational. This show was what I was waiting for! He has dogged the school system (Cabell) and school meals everywhere, but until tonight hasn't mentioned the fact that most bag lunches don't compare to the nutrition we have been feeding our students for several years. It's Reality TV so of course they are going to pick the worst meals provided by schools. Let it be known that the majority of our meals ARE FIXED FROM SCRATCH!! In the elementary, we had pizza menued only 1 or 2 times a month. We served spaghetti, beef a roni, nachos, wheat hot rolls, etc. all of which were made from scratch.
I think that the show was very hard on the USDA and didn't mention the fresh fruit and vegetables that come through them. Some of the foods do need to be changed out but by allowing us to purchase foods at lower costs we are able to bring in more fresh items to offer students. I don't agree with Jamie about the flavored milk. There is a lot of information out there that contradicts the value of flavored milk. It seemed that Jamie is still laying the decisions yah or nay on Rhonda McCoy. I'm not sure that the majority of these decisions are really up to her, if so, Rhonda I need a raise.
I think that the show made us all aware of the problem and maybe we will make better choices in what is served in our schools, brought in a bag or lunch box, and purchased for our families. It scary to think about the life expectancy of our grandchildren being shortened. I hope that our way of looking at food and what we eat will stay with us. I'm not sure that we can afford the price of fresh or organic. I don't like preservatives or additives being put in my food.
I would have liked for them to address the cost of the food. I know that the food bills at my school have jumped and I am not serving as much variety as I was before we started the chef's menu. My school has been doing these menus since November, the student's are doing better with the new foods. I never thought I would see the day that the students seem happy to get cooked broccoli or are happy to have baked beans. Today I heard that if we continue with these meals it could cost $6.00 a meal (I don't know if this rumor is true.) On Monday, my school starts the biggest loser. Wish me luck.

Forrest McGuire on final episode

2010-04-24T14:42:00.003-04:00

Forrest McGuire, 17, is a senior and student body president at Huntington High School, where part of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" was filmed. He is captain of the Huntington High men's soccer team and a member of the Huntington High swim team. He is an active member in the HHS Young Republicans, Key Club and Student Council. He plans on attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in the fall and majoring in business.

General thoughts of finale?
Great episode, at first like some of the other people on the show I thought that this whole series was just rubbish but then I realized that this was more than just a TV. show and a guy trying to make money off of it. This last episode especially emphasized the importance of his love for the kids and what he wants to accomplish out of getting the people of Huntington into this food revolution and how it needs to succeed and carry on even when he leaves back to England.

Do you think the show accomplished anything?
Yes, very much so. I personally can say that I’ve seen change in Huntington High School. The guy that was with Jamie in this episode, his assistant that's helping with the food revolution I’ve seen him at our school and our menus have changed drastically because of his help and the other people under him that have come in and changed our school food to be more nutritious, fresh and definitely more delicious. We have fresh food every day and most of it if not all of it is made from scratch, it has really made an impact on the schools and also our community of Huntington.

Now that the show is over and the media coverage fades, will the community sustain the changes?
It will, even though Jamie has gone he has planted a seed that will grow into a garden of success and by getting people to back him up here in Huntington he can go back to his home knowing that people here do care and are right beside him in this food revolution. It might need to be checked up on every once and a while by someone like Jamie to see that the schools and community are still on track.

What wasn’t addressed in the entire show that you feel should have been talked about?
Nothing really, it all seemed to be well addressed and the message behind the actions were shed in a very positive light.

Are you disappointed that the show didn’t feature Ritter Park or any of the 5K events we regularly do?
It would have been nice to show that in the community we have events such as the 5K run that promote healthy lifestyles but all in all it didn't negatively impact Huntington. It still showed that we were changing and that people were actually losing weight in the couple months that Jamie had been gone.

Amy Gannon on final episode

2010-04-24T14:41:00.002-04:00

Amy Gannon is a registered dietitian who lives and practices in Charleston. She earned an undergraduate degree in human nutrition and foods from West Virginia University and completed a master’s degree and dietetic internship at Marshall University. In 2005, she earned a Certificate of Training in Pediatric and Adolescent Weight Management from the American Dietetic Association. She has been a consultant dietitian for the HealthyKids Weight Management Program at Charleston Area Medical Center for five years. She has experience in clinical dietetics, sales, community nutrition and higher education. She is currently serving as president of the W.Va. Dietetic Association and works as a youth specialist for WVU Extension Service- Family Nutrition Programs. In addition, Gannon is an adjunct professor for the Marshall University School of Medicine and owns a private consultative nutrition practice in Charleston.

General thoughts of finale?
It's obvious that there is still work to be done to make the city of Huntington and school meals healthier. I am happy that Jamie Oliver has worked so hard to help create change for the children in Cabell County schools. I was glad to see that Alice bought into the idea of less processed meals and is now working with other cooks to share her new expertise. However, schools are only one part of the obesity epidemic. I hope viewers realize that in order for Jamie's changes to be effective, changes will need to be made at home too.

Do you think the show accomplished anything?
I am happy that the show put a spotlight on the obesity epidemic. Most people are unaware of the seriousness of childhood obesity, or the staggering toll it can take on a child's health. I am also always surprised to learn that most parents are unaware of what their children are eating - both at school and at other social events. Cooking, meal preparation and shopping for food is just not a priority for many people. I feel like the show shed light on the importance of cooking meals at home and knowing what your children are eating for lunch every day.

Now that the show is over and the media coverage fades, will the community sustain the changes?
Various media sources have recently highlighted that the most difficult part of the sustaining the changes for Cabell county will be footing the bill for the new menu items. Rhonda and the Cabell County school system are really in a tough place. I'm sure they would like to continue serving fresher foods, but government regulations, lack of funding and dissatisfaction among students will make it hard to keep all of the changes. It was also disappointing to see students packing junk food in heir lunch boxes - candy, sweetened beverages and chips can't compare to Jamie's lunch or the regular school lunch either.

What wasn’t addressed in the entire show that you feel should have been talked about?
There were several things that I felt should have been addressed. While it is obvious that most school meals are overly processed, it is important to recognize that WV's nutrition standards are among the most progressive in the nation. Our state mandates that all schools in WV must serve breakfast every day. All but two counties have removed sales of soda from schools during the school day. WV schools require the use of more fresh fruit and vegetables and more whole grains than most other schools in the country. Although there is still work to be done, a lot of progress has already been made and this wasn't highlighted at all. In addition, the nutrient content of Jamie's meals often didn't meet the USDA standards either. I'm grateful that he showed the cooks how to prepare unprocessed foods, but I don't think his meals would be able to qualify for USDA funding over the long run.

Are you disappointed that the show didn’t feature Ritter Park or any of the 5K events we regularly do?
Of course this is disappointing. There is a lot of hard work being done in Huntington to combat obesity. The School of Medicine launched an obesity prevention program several years ago with school-aged children. The Department of Dietetics at Marshall has a nutrition education grant that is used to teach kids at schools across Cabell County about the importance of healthy foods and physical activity. And, on recent Sunday afternoon visit to Ritter Park, I saw hundreds of people jogging, walking, biking and playing for hours on end. I think it would have been beneficial to see what is already happening and connect Jamie's work with some of these programs.

Tyson Compton on final episode

2010-04-24T14:39:00.001-04:00

Tyson Compton, a native of Louisa, Ky., has served as president of the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau since February 2009. Compton came to Huntington from the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, where he was marketing director for 14 years. Prior to that, he was marketing director for a magazine publishing group in Los Angeles. Compton serves on the boards of Leadership Tri-State, the Southeast Tourism Society, Boyd County Foundation for Children, Youth Leadership and Clear Channel Radio Local Advisory Board. He is also a member of Huntington Rotary and is actively involved with Create Huntington. He is a graduate of Community Leadership Development, a member of ACTC/OU Diversity Committee and a member of the Country Music Highway Action Team.

General thoughts of finale?
I will admit that watching the final episode was more emotional for me than I expected. For one thing, I didn’t want the show to be over. I’ve looked forward to each episode, and to seeing how Huntington would be portrayed and what new developments would be revealed. This deep, rich feeling of pride seemed to swell up inside me and I let myself be moved by the many individuals that passed through the show. I realize that I have a strong sentimental side, but it went beyond that. I’m still sort of sifting through those feelings and trying to figure them out, but I know that part of it was seeing so many factions in Huntington get behind this movement and show the country that we are not about to let some statistic define us, but that even though it may be difficult at times, we can and will work together to move ourselves forward. And I agree with Jamie’s sign off – this is not the end, it’s just the beginning.

Do you think the show accomplished anything?
I think the show accomplished a great deal, more than we may even realize right now. For one thing, it brought a critical factor front and center: this is the first generation that is not expected to live as long as their parents. How can that be ok in any way? It is unacceptable. We don’t need to waste time looking to place blame here or there, we need to take action. So we did. And being involved in the community, I see that we are on the verge of even greater progress. This is such a dynamic community, full of spirited and concerned individuals who are constantly working to improve the quality of life. Many of the changes and programs that are taking shape now would have happened in Huntington anyway, but Jamie’s presence, and this show, just catapulted them along and gave us a unifying theme.

Also, I continue to hear from individuals across the country who are expressing their support of Jamie, Huntington and the Revolution. Most of these folks are already making changes to their diet by reforming their shopping, cooking and eating habits. I think that Jamie’s Food Revolution will be mentioned for years to come as being the catalyst for this great and positive change.

Now that the show is over and the media coverage fades, will the community sustain the changes?

Now the million dollar question is can the community sustain the changes. I emphatically answer yes. I realize there are still a lot of issues to be addressed and still a lot of red tape to be cut up and trashed. And obviously for the schools money will be a big issue. It is not cut and dry by any means. But after seeing what has happened so far, seeing what is possible, and knowing that so many people truly do care about improving the diets, and subsequently the lives, of our children, I know we can do it. I have made a personal commitment myself to make a change in my own diet and food selection. And I’m making a commitment of my time to be part of the Healthy Huntington initiative. I’m also calling next week to sign up as a volunteer at Huntington’s Kitchen. I’ll continue to see how I can be actively involved in making this change a reality. How could I not do that? A friend jokingly told me last week that I find something good in every situation. I don’t think I have a Pollyanna complex. I would just rather have someone say I told you so if it did fail than be any less than 100% behind it in order to make it happen. And let me tell you, I’m not one who likes hearing I told you so!

Are you disappointed that the show didn’t feature Ritter Park or any of the 5K events we regularly do?

Initially I was very disappointed that the show wasn’t addressing the many positive programs that were already in place here. We have an incredible park system, state of the art health facilities with the YMCA and Marshall University’s Rec Center and even the Huntington Museum of Art has a wonderful walking trail. The Paul Ambrose Trail has had my support since I learned of it over a year ago. The Community Gardens that have been developed with the help of Jennifer Williams, Tim White and many others are phenomenal. Sporting activities and races abound. And the list goes on and on.

I still think that it would have been nice to feature some of those in the show. But I came to see that it wasn’t an issue of exercise or activity. This show was solely focused on diet, and choosing healthy options with fresh ingredients, while stressing the need to move away from processed food. I can still have my favorite dish of fried chicken. I’ll just select fresh meat and use olive oil.
I support Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution! And I ask that you please do so as well.

2010-04-19T11:27:00.000-04:00

What was the episode’s theme?

The theme of this episode was garnering community resources. Obviously Jamie wants to make the changes sustainable and he knows that it will take the resources of the whole community pulling together to do so.

What wasn’t addressed?

I feel like Jamie needs to address the nutrient difference of his meals verses the "regular" school meals. It is obvious that his meals are less processed, but how do they stack up in terms of calories, fat, vitamins, minerals, etc? His recipes seem nutrient rich. I love that he throws extra vegetables into everything- even sloppy joes! I think he should work with some registered dietitians in the Huntington area to look at the healthfulness of his meals and use this to gain support for his food.

I also believe some information was left out about the milk issue. Jamie said "milk is milk"- meaning that students will drink whatever is put before them. While the logic behind this is somewhat right, even flavored milk is nutrient rich. Milk is a great source of protein, calcium, vitamins A & D, and lots of other nutrients. It is an exaggeration to say that flavored milk has more sugar than soda- much of the sugar in flavored milk is from naturally occurring lactose. However, I do agree with Jamie that children drink too many calories from sugar. Not everything we drink should be sweet, but it seems like we are raising a generation who doesn't understand this. Should flavored milk have a lower sugar content?- absolutely. Is flavored milk an important tool to encourage kids to get enough calcium and vitamin D?- yes.

How were Huntington/ the school system portrayed?

Very positively. Even Alice started coming around during this episode. I loved how the students all came together to show support for Jamie's food and try something new. I also LOVED how the food environment changed in Central City's cafeteria. What a difference several months made. Teachers were working with students during meal times and the children were actually consuming the food. Even when the wrong type of chicken was ordered, no one panicked. It would have been very easy to give in and use the processed chicken. Instead, everyone pitched in and changed gears at the last minute. The crisis was diverted. I think it was a real testament to the way in which people were adapting to the new food environment.

Any progress made?

Certainly. This episode not only showed how the students were accepting the food, but how the community was starting to accept the changes as well. Cabell Huntington Hospital was getting on board, and people seemed to enjoy the green bus which served locally produced foods. It seemed like progress was really starting to happen.

2010-04-19T11:25:00.000-04:00

What was the fifth episode’s theme?

In the fifth episode, Jamie is honing in on making his Food Revolution a permanent fixture in Cabell County Schools. He has presented in his case in the previous episodes and is now looking for the financial backing that will cement the program.

What wasn’t addressed?
To be such an important component, I feel like the issue of raising the money and securing the funding from Cabell Huntington Hospital was not brought out enough. It is evident that Doug Sheils and the hospital have the best interests of the community at heart, so I would like to have seen more of what transpired in that area.
Also, there are several times that we learn changes can’t be made in the schools because of state regulations. What are those regulations and how can they be addressed?

How were Huntington/ the school system portrayed?
I think Huntington was positively portrayed by having community leaders who care deeply about how we are perceived and showing that the designation of being the unhealthiest town is not accurate but has been generalized through erroneous and careless reporting. The two Cabell County Schools that are featured continue to be impressive by showing their true concern for student’s welfare. The officials, including Rhonda, the cooks and school leaders are an inspiration in that they don’t let what was done in the past get in the way of progress and change. I know it cannot have been easy to invite the production into the schools or to challenge standard procedures. But they truly shine as an example for other school systems and I applaud them.

Any progress made?
Progress continued in this fifth episode. Not only did the school system open up for more changes, but the students seemed to be moving along as well. I liked Jamie’s comment that we sometimes underestimate young people by thinking for them. Hearing the kids say that they preferred being given a choice and seeing them accept the healthier options was amazing. And as I looked at the shining faces of the kids at Central City, I was overwhelmed with emotion. This is what a movement like this is all about – standing up and being willing to say that what we are doing now is not good for our children, and thereby being able to offer them a better future.
And I think that Alice spoke for a lot of people, both in the community and across the country, when she said that Jamie has some good ideas and that his heart is in the right place.

Is the Revolution working?
From what I have seen in the episodes presented, I would say that yes, the Revolution is working. Even though the steps may be small, the program has moved forward. If nothing else, being aware of what processed foods are doing to our and our young people’s diets is a positive thing. And knowing what obstacles the school system and its personnel have to overcome to make the smallest change, it is heartening to see their willingness to move forward.

2010-04-10T07:21:00.000-04:00

2010-04-10T07:19:00.001-04:00

Mary Cook works at Village of Barboursville Elementary as cafeteria manager. She is a resident of Barboursville and has been employed by the Cabell County Board of Education for 19 years. Before Village of Barboursville Elementary, she worked at Cabell Midland High School as a cook and Huntington High as a cafeteria manager. She graduated from Marshall University and has worked in some form of the food industry since she was 14. She had her own catering business for 10 years. She was president of the Parent-Teacher Association at Barboursville Elementary School for four years and Cabell County PTA president for two years. She has two children, three stepchildren and eight grandchildren.

Reaction to the fourth episode:
The show starts out with a bet between Jamie and Rod of the DWAG. The message is still the same, getting people in Huntington to eat healthier. I thought the show was very energetic and fun. I liked the part that was filmed with Marshall students at the Memorial Fountain. I enjoyed watching people have fun cooking.
I think that the people of Huntington came across as people who do care about their health and want to do better. Even though we don't want to think about our weight problem doesn't mean it's not there. I think the segment shot at Reger's Funeral Home was done very tastefully. I know that more and more fire departments, ambulance, and emergency responders are asking for lifting assistance due to the patient being overweight.
I am glad that the cook's from Central City went to Jamie's Kitchen. From a cook's standpoint I agree with what Jamie is saying but some of his recipes are not kid friendly. A tremendous amount of progress was made during this show. Huntington, you looked great!

2010-04-10T07:16:00.002-04:00

Tyson Compton, a native of Louisa, Ky., has served as president of the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau since February 2009. Compton came to Huntington from the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, where he was marketing director for 14 years. Prior to that, he was marketing director for a magazine publishing group in Los Angeles. Compton serves on the boards of Leadership Tri-State, the Southeast Tourism Society, Boyd County Foundation for Children, Youth Leadership and Clear Channel Radio Local Advisory Board. He is also a member of Huntington Rotary and is actively involved with Create Huntington. He is a graduate of Community Leadership Development, a member of ACTC/OU Diversity Committee and a member of the Country Music Highway Action Team.

What was the fourth episode’s theme?
In the fourth episode, I felt that Jamie was now casting a wide net to really pull in as many community members as possible and get them behind the Revolution. Acceptance, or at least understanding, from Rod was also crucial to the overall program.

How were Huntington/ the school system portrayed?
Overall I thought Huntington really took a step forward. I’m glad that Rod’s feelings shifted because his attitude was really beginning to wear on me. But of course that conflict makes great television and he played the perfect foil to Jamie and his call for change. But the positive response and attitude from so many levels of the community was great to see. The Marshall University students creating the flash mob was awesome.

Any progress made?
Having Jamie meet his goal of teaching 1,000 folks to cook a healthy meal was huge. This showed that the people of Huntington were listening, and that we were finally able to put aside our fear of this “outsider” and his agenda and get behind the Revolution – for ourselves, our family, our community.

I really enjoyed this episode, in large part due to the many different segments of the community that were involved. We saw Mayor Wolfe participating and we heard from Governor Manchin that he was behind the drive for healthier diets. This was a another great step forward. And how cool was it to see Alice show up for a class? I can’t help but enjoy her feisty attitude.

Also, I’m hearing from friends across the country and overwhelmingly they like the show. All of them with children have commented on how this has made them aware of what their kids are eating at school and that they plan to be more active in that regard. One friend mentioned how it inspired her to teach her sons about vegetables and that now they do their grocery shopping together. Many others have commented on how they hadn’t really thought about the large amount of processed foods that they consume and they plan to improve that.

Jamie’s desire to help people is working.

2010-04-03T15:11:00.000-04:00

Amy Gannon is a registered dietitian who lives and practices in Charleston. She earned an undergraduate degree in human nutrition and foods from West Virginia University and completed a master’s degree and dietetic internship at Marshall University. In 2005, she earned a Certificate of Training in Pediatric and Adolescent Weight Management from the American Dietetic Association. She has been a consultant dietitian for the HealthyKids Weight Management Program at Charleston Area Medical Center for five years. She has experience in clinical dietetics, sales, community nutrition and higher education. She is currently serving as president of the W.Va. Dietetic Association and works as a youth specialist for WVU Extension Service- Family Nutrition Programs. In addition, Gannon is an adjunct professor for the Marshall University School of Medicine and owns a private consultative nutrition practice in Charleston.

What was the episode’s theme?
I believe the theme of the third episode is creating change through having everyone buy in to an idea. This is a very important concept in the paradigm of societal and personal change. Research is very clear that children and adolescents are more accepting of new foods when they see their peers and mentors enjoying the food. It was obvious that Jamie didn't have much buy in for his proposed changes in the elementary school. However, during this episode, he worked with the students to create an environment of change and things seemed to run more smoothly.

What wasn’t addressed?
I would have liked to have seen Jamie address the USDA guidelines for meal pattern requirements. The scene where Rhonda McCoy chastised Jamie for not providing enough vegetables in the teriyaki stir fry made the school lunch meals appear to be out of control with regard to rules. This was especially apparent when the grilled chicken, French fries and salad bar (which hardly anyone visited) "counted" as a reimbursable meal, but the stir fry with seven vegetables did not. In my opinion Jamie should have pointed out that Rhonda was following the meal pattern outlined by the USDA. The USDA looks at quantity of the serving (in this case vegetables). Jamie was more concerned about quality of the vegetable. In a perfect world, French fries would not count as a vegetable (unsurprisingly, they are the No. 1 consumed vegetable in the US) and Jamie would have served a second vegetable on the tray with the stir fry to achieve the appropriate quantity.

In addition, Jamie mentioned that the changes at the high school were much easier to make. He shut down the French fry line and handed out his recipe, but the show didn't provide any feedback from the students. I wonder what they thought about the food?

Finally, I wish Jamie would have found some help for Brittany. This would not only help her, but also let other people who are struggling with their weight know where they can turn for help. There are plenty of health professionals (registered dietitians included) and weight management programs in the Huntington area that could help Brittany lose weight and also reverse the liver disease.

How were Huntington/ the school system portrayed?
It appeared that Alice was once again portrayed as angry and bitter. However, she did have a point. School cook positions have been cut and it is very difficult for the cooks to spend a significant amount of time preparing foods from scratch, instead of just heating. In addition, since every show opens with the DJ's negative dialogue, this appears to be used as a poor influence on the community. On the other hand, the changes made at the high school seemed to be more positive and well-received. The restaurant scene showed the Cabell County Superintendent multiple times. I felt like this was a positive gesture, hopefully to show support for the change Jamie was creating.

Any progress made?
Yes, I feel that progress was made. Jamie seemed to have made in roads in the high school, and had a great fundraiser for the cook's training. It was really great to have such a wide variety of students supporting his efforts. Most of all, I feel like progress was made in shedding light on the obesity epidemic. The stastics of obesity often make the enormity of this issue impersonal. Hearing the raw details of Brittany's life-long struggle with weight gain, as well as Marisa's tragic loss of her father and uncle due to obesity, brings an immediacy to the issue that many people do not often see.

2010-04-03T15:09:00.001-04:00

Mary Cook works at Village of Barboursville Elementary as cafeteria manager. She is a resident of Barboursville and has been employed by the Cabell County Board of Education for 19 years. Before Village of Barboursville Elementary, she worked at Cabell Midland High School as a cook and Huntington High as a cafeteria manager. She graduated from Marshall University and has worked in some form of the food industry since she was 14. She had her own catering business for 10 years. She was president of the Parent-Teacher Association at Barboursville Elementary School for four years and Cabell County PTA president for two years. She has two children, three stepchildren and eight grandchildren.

Reaction to third episode:
I wasn't too fond of the start of episode three. I have worked at Huntington High and I can't believe that the students were that laid back about losing their french fries. I guess that is something we will not see. I really enjoyed the group that came together from Huntington High!

I think that they did a wonderful job. They each had a different reason for being there; I think that most people could relate to at least one of them. I think that Jamie did a great job motivating and finding strenghts that they were not aware that they possessed. They reminded me of the saying... Teamwork - a group of common people coming together to do uncommon things.

I think that they showed Mrs. McCoy in a little more positive light. We must remember that her job is to follow and enforce the WV State Nutrition Policies. I felt in episode one when they edited the meeting she had with Jamie from 2 hours to two minutes it put a negative attitude towards the Cabell Co. BOE.

I'll be honest, when Jamie was worried that he may not be able to pull the dinner/fundraiser off he was getting a little taste of what the cooks in our county are going through daily!! I knew the students wouldn't let him down, I think the people in WV can go the extra mile.

I think he is making progress, I wish that he could have put something together for the students (elementary-high school) explaining what he was trying to do and why. I think students are more accepting of change if they are given a reason why; they may not agree but are a little more open to it.

2010-04-02T22:22:00.001-04:00

2010-04-02T22:20:00.001-04:00

2010-03-26T23:07:00.002-04:00

Amy Gannon is a registered dietitian who lives and practices in Charleston. She earned an undergraduate degree in human nutrition and foods from West Virginia University and completed a master’s degree and dietetic internship at Marshall University. In 2005, she earned a Certificate of Training in Pediatric and Adolescent Weight Management from the American Dietetic Association. She has been a consultant dietitian for the HealthyKids Weight Management Program at Charleston Area Medical Center for five years. She has experience in clinical dietetics, sales, community nutrition and higher education. She is currently serving as president of the W.Va. Dietetic Association and works as a youth specialist for WVU Extension Service- Family Nutrition Programs. In addition, Gannon is an adjunct professor for the Marshall University School of Medicine and owns a private consultative nutrition practice in Charleston.

What was the second episode’s theme?
Overcoming personal and systematic challenge. The personal challenge refers to the familial changes that Jamie helped ignite. Although he gave the Edwards' family many tools to enact change, they still struggled to eat the foods that he purchased to prepare the new recipes. The systematic challenges refer to the multiple barriers that Jamie and the school personnel face on so many levels. Something as simple as using knives and forks instead of spoons creates controversy.

What wasn’t addressed?
Jamie worked hard to address many issues with the Edwards' family - providing cooking tips, healthy foods, recipes, one-on-one cooking demos, etc. However, even with all of this help, they continued to struggle with changing their eating habits. I was glad the children were able to visit with Dr. Bailes to address medical issues, but they need help in many other areas as well. I wish the producers of the show would have chosen to work with other health professionals, (counselors, psychologists, dietitians and exercise physiologists) to show that it often takes a "village" to help a family make permanent changes.

How were Huntington/ the school system portrayed?
Huntington was basically portrayed in a positive manner. Again, the beauty of the city was noted. The people of our region were portrayed as being resistant to change, however.
There were both positive and negative aspects displayed with the school system. The cooks, principal and food service director were shown in a more positive light this time and their desire to do the best thing for the children came through.
I was really astonished by the food environment of the cafeteria. The fact that the children are not normally provided with knives and forks is telling. The children obviously ate better when the staff walked around the cafeteria and encouraged them to try to food and showed them how to use the "new" utensils. This is a reflection of our society-at-large. As a society, we put meal time last. We find time to do just about everything (sports, social activities, etc), but cook a healthy meal. The school, like society, needs to bring back the importance of meal time. Giving meals the time they deserve and making meals an important part of the school's curriculum (by encouraging children to try foods, helping children cut foods, talking about what is served for lunch during classroom time), will bring about a more positive food environment.

Any progress made?
Yes, progress was made. The Edwards' family had a medical work up to rule out diabetes and had a refrigerator stocked with fresh produce. The school children tried new foods and liked them. The school staff began to see meal time differently and appreciate the effort of spending time with children while they eat.

Scripted vs. Impromptu?
Since this is a television show, obviously much of the episode is scripted- such as Jamie running in the pea costume. Although Jamie's confessional appears to be ad lib, I believe much of it is most likely scripted. I feel that most of the work that Jamie does in the school, and the one-on-one work with the family, is basically impromptu. It would be difficult to follow a script and cook a meal for over 400 children. Likewise, it would be difficult to get all of the children in the cafeteria to follow a script. Watching the children accept and enjoy nutrient rich foods is heartwarming and real.

2010-03-26T23:01:00.000-04:00

Mary Cook works at Village of Barboursville Elementary as cafeteria manager. She is a resident of Barboursville and has been employed by the Cabell County Board of Education for 19 years. Before Village of Barboursville Elementary, she worked at Cabell Midland High School as a cook and Huntington High as a cafeteria manager. She graduated from Marshall University and has worked in some form of the food industry since she was 14. She had her own catering business for 10 years. She was president of the Parent-Teacher Association at Barboursville Elementary School for four years and Cabell County PTA president for two years. She has two children, three stepchildren and eight grandchildren.

What was your reaction to the second episode?
I felt the theme was getting away from processed foods. The chicken nugget demo was priceless, even seeing the disgusting products going in the students were still willing to eat the nugget. I think that the show picks at negative menus such as chicken nuggets. How often do you think we serve nuggets at school, once sometimes twice a month other then spaghetti or pizza (whole wheat) that is our biggest day? I think that you are not pointing out that we are meeting the state guidelines. You are telling the parents that our meals are not good, in my 19 years as a cook

I can honestly say that I have never used as much oil or cheese as we are using since we started your menus. Maybe you could mention all the foods that we made from scratch. I think that you made the school board and staff, come across as uncaring and unconcerned. You may not agree with the regulations and requirements of our state but the nutrients are all calculated in our meals. Serving raw vegetables and fresh fruit is nothing new to us.

Jamie I have been cooking your meals since November, our lunch count has dropped and we have more students bringing their lunches. You should take a look in the lunch boxes that would really make you cry. I think you have a good idea and you are headed in the right direction but you are giving the impression that school lunches are all bad. I hope you clear this up. We do all need to eat better and exercise more.

2010-03-26T22:59:00.001-04:00

Tyson Compton, a native of Louisa, Ky., has served as president of the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau since February 2009. Compton came to Huntington from the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, where he was marketing director for 14 years. Prior to that, he was marketing director for a magazine publishing group in Los Angeles. Compton serves on the boards of Leadership Tri-State, the Southeast Tourism Society, Boyd County Foundation for Children, Youth Leadership and Clear Channel Radio Local Advisory Board. He is also a member of Huntington Rotary and is actively involved with Create Huntington. He is a graduate of Community Leadership Development, a member of ACTC/OU Diversity Committee and a member of the Country Music Highway Action Team.

What was the second episode’s theme?
For me, the main theme of the second episode centered on education in relation to what we eat. I found the scene where Jamie cut up the chicken carcass to make chicken nuggets fascinating. Don’t think I’ll be eating those any more! He continued the education process with the Edwards family, with the students, their parents and the school staff.

What wasn’t addressed?
I would really like to have seen some information on how the American diet has evolved (or devolved) over the years. Obviously, our habits didn’t develop overnight, but rather it would seem that our reliance on processed food came from the need for convenience on the consumer side and profitability at any cost on the producer side.
It would also be interesting to see the actual costs of the school meals before and after Jamie.

How were Huntington/ the school system portrayed?
I am so proud of the Huntington residents and school system employees that have participated to this point. A wide range of emotions and reactions has been displayed throughout this process and they can’t be viewed as right or wrong. They are all valid because they are real. I’m even rethinking my feelings about Jamie’s tears in the first episode as I found myself tearing up more than once as I watched this episode. I found the Edwards family to be very inspiring and I think that will be the case with families across the country. And I think the school officials and employees showed a lot of grit and pride. Watching those little guys proudly identify their vegetables after the teacher worked with them was awesome.

How incredible is it to see our city featured on a national television program that is being viewed by millions across the country? I would say that you can’t buy publicity like that. Bu you actually can – it would just cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. I’m anxious to offer my support to EMO and Huntington’s Kitchen, not just for what it has to offer our local community, but so that we can have visitors outside the area experience the kitchen and take back their positive comments on the Food Revolution to their hometowns.

Any progress made?
I definitely feel some progress is being made. Getting the parents of the young students behind the effort was a huge step forward. The visit to the doctor with the Edwards family was a stark eye opener for individuals of every age and seeing the kids enjoy the meal at the end showed that change is possible. Jamie’s got my support now and I’m anxious to see what’s next.

2010-03-26T22:05:00.002-04:00

Forrest McGuire, 17, is a senior and student body president at Huntington High School, where part of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" was filmed. He is captain of the Huntington High men's soccer team and a member of the Huntington High swim team. He is an active member in the HHS Young Republicans, Key Club and Student Council. He plans on attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in the fall and majoring in business.

Reaction to watching first and second episodes on Friday, March 26:
I feel that right now it is mostly scripted, there is a little bit of his caring for the community but not much. Right now through the first episode the vibe that is being sent off is that it is mostly for the money and just to make his name big though a T.V. show. Maybe later when he actually connects with the people in Huntington and gets closer to them it will turn into something more than just a big money making plan.

What was the second episode’s theme?
It was a little like the first episode's theme which was getting kids to eat healthy, but it had more impact. The impact was made partially due to the fact that he went into the classroom and taught kids what the different vegetables were and brought the parents in to show them what their kids were eating, it sent out a powerful message.

What wasn’t addressed?
His plans on what to do after he successfully accomplishes getting the eating habits better in the elementary school. He mentioned that he wanted to try for other schools but it still seems to remain a mystery how or where he's going to try for that.

How were Huntington/ the school system portrayed?
In a lot better light. They did start out with proving (again) the ignorance of the children in the classroom, which was ridiculous to think that a kid that young would actually know what an eggplant was and then looking at them like they were mentally retarded. The other vegetables I can understand such as the tomatoes but when he pulled out he miscellaneous veggies and expected them to know it right off the bat was a little odd.
But in the end it turned out for the best, the teacher took it upon herself to teach the kids all of the vegetables that Jamie had shown them and also he ended up making peace with the cooks at the end of the show by giving them thank you letters written by the kids.

Any progress made?
A little, there are still a lot that are skeptical and in my eyes it is a little; most likely in Jamie's eyes it was a milestone. Getting the cooks acceptance, being able to go back to the school for the second week and also teaching the kids the different vegetables and giving them knowledge along with healthy food was a big plus. There is still a long ways to go, he has made progress in one small area and affected the school system in the elementary but he hasn't done much at all with the city or the rest of the 50,000 residents to try and change their habits at all.

2010-03-26T20:40:00.000-04:00

What do you expect to see in this series?

To see Jamie Oliver find a target group of people in the community and set a goal for them to eat healthier and teach them how to cook healthier meals.

After seeing the first episode, what are you expecting from the rest of series?

I'm expecting to see a lot more change, he started out pretty shallow in the Central City Elementary school and didn't get too far being in there but i expect that he will expand his view to other schools and have more success there. Also it seems there will be a lot more drama being put into the series, with more people being aggitated and seeing Jamie cry more it looks like it will be a mix of a drama reality show tied in with a message of healthy eating.

How do you think Huntington/ the school system was portrayed?

Very poorly, it seems that they are basically calling everyone hillbillies and showing the kids having pure ignorance. I can see that it will be needed to create drama, especially between him and the cooks and i can see why it's needed to capture the viewers attention, but truthfully they are shedding a bad light on the Central City Elementary staff and kids. This will turn around hopefully to show that with such adversity in his way that Jamie can turn these kids who eat terrible food into healthy eating children through the program and eating styles he is endorsing.

Was your initial response to the episode positive or negative? Why?

Definitely negative. In this episode they piled in all the negative aspects of Huntington from going to the radio station, to the cafeteria at Central City Elementary and then to looking into the food qualifications down at his restaurant. This should as I mentioned earlier, build the drama that will then unfold into bringing Jamie into the spotlight later on in the series to glorify his work.

Does Oliver make it clear why he came here?

Yes, he explained well why he was here and what he planned on doing. He hasn't yet uncovered all of his plans on how to revolutionize an entire city, but he has started by "planting the seed" into the elementary school and then he will move on from there to "plant" more "seeds" for the revolution to fully take place.

Mary Cook's thoughts on first episode

2010-03-23T12:15:00.004-04:00

QUESTION: What do you expect to see in this series?

"I expected the show to set Huntington and WV in a negative light. I was skeptical that this show was going to be informative as it is listed as a reality show."

QUESTION: After seeing the first episode, what are you expecting from the rest of series?

"After watching first episode I expect to see Jamie going through the difficult process of trying to change our mindset from processed to fresh."

QUESTION: How do you think Huntington/the school system was portrayed?

"I think Huntington was portrayed in a positive way, they showed some of the beauty in the town the hills and beautiful foliage. The school system, not in such a positive way. We do give our kids to many processed foods this comes from myself as a grandmother, a mother, and a cook. Jamie when you said we only use our ovens to heat food Not True."

QUESTION: Was your initial response to the episode positive or negative? Why?

"I enjoyed the show very much. He eased into the solutions for one of the nation’s biggest problems. I liked the family that Jamie is in the process of helping they were polite and accepting of the changes. I can’t wait to see what dad says about the changes. As for the school system -Hold your ground Rhonda and can Alice be changed?"

QUESTION: Does Oliver make it clear why he came here?

"I think he makes it very clear why he came to Huntington."

Reactions from Tyson Compton on the first episode

2010-03-22T15:50:00.004-04:00

QUESTION: What do you expect to see in this series?

TYSON COMPTON: “When I first heard about this project, I was pretty skeptical of it overall. I didn't relish dredging up that whole unhealthiest city business yet again. But through the process, I came to be supportive of it. If nothing else, Huntington was going to be in the national forefront when the show aired. Why not make the most and the best of it? However, I lived and worked in LA for 10 years and I know the entertainment industry. I also know that ‘reality’ tv does not necessarily reflect real life. So I knew there would be some tough moments in the show, most of which I expected to be seen up front. After all, it will be necessary to show the worst of the situation and our people in order for Jamie to realize his goal and share with our community a better way to eat, cook, and shop for food. I do believe we'll see some heartwarming moments. And I do believe that this show can illustrate to other communities across the country what can be done when you get the community behind you and you get behind the community. I try to eat healthy and I work out 3 days a week but I realize that I can still do better and I'm looking forward to being inspired by the underlying theme of this show.”

QUESTION: How do you think Huntington/ the school system was portrayed?

TYSON COMPTON: “Overall, Huntington and the school system were portrayed as entities that needed help. This was difficult to watch. I know many of these people and I know how hard they work and how much they care about the community. Our issues are no different than issues faced by schools and communities across the country. I do feel that the school was especially set up a bit to look negative.”

QUESTION: Was your initial response to the episode positive or negative? Why?

TYSON COMPTON: “I will have to say that my initial repsonse was mixed, partially negative and partially positive. Any attack, no matter how well intentioned on my community is difficult to accept. But overall, I'm moving toward positive. I think the impact of this show can be very, very positive for our community and we can be the leader of change in communities across the country. I especially salute those who went into this programming not knowing how it would culminate.”

QUESTION: Does Oliver make it clear why he came here?

TYSON COMPTON: “ I think Jamie does make it clear why he is here. I have to admit that his tearful scene on camera was a bit too Hollywood for me. I can't say if it was real or not - only he knows that. But otherwise he does a good job of explaining why he is here and why this type of education is important for him.”

Amy Gannon's thoughts on the first episode

2010-03-22T15:13:00.002-04:00

QUESTION: What do you expect to see in this series?

AMY GANNON: “I expect to see a reality show with heart. Basically, Jamie Oliver has picked up on the obesity epidemic. I'm sure that he has good intentions for Huntington, but I know this is a reality show. He will show people that are resistant to change. I believe the idea is for Jamie to ride in on his white horse and save us all from ourselves- again, it is a reality show. I hope for two things: #1- he doesn't portray us with stereotypical Appalachian negativity and #2- the community learns something from this and does actually become healthier.”

QUESTION: After seeing the first episode, what are you expecting from the rest of series?

AMY GANNON: “ I expect more of what he showed tonight. Resistance regarding poor food choices and processed foods in schools. I expect that children will come around and start enjoying whole foods and realize that processed foods taste horrible compared to fresh. I expect that he will meet with more community people and the series will show the transition from bad eating and physical activity habits to good habits.”

QUESTION: How do you think Huntington/ the school system was portrayed?

AMY GANNON: “He really didn't portray the school system, just the food. In my opinion, last night's show was a poor reflection on the school food system. It seemed as if people didn't care that the children were eating so much processed food- and lots and lots of starch, fat and sugar. I don't think that's the real issue though. It's not that the cooks, principal, food service director, etc don't care. It's just that they have to work within the boundaries that they're given and follow USDA regulations. Clearly, there are issues on many levels.

QUESTION: Was your initial response to the episode positive or negative? Why?

AMY GANNON: “My initial response was positive. As a health care professional (Registered Dietitian), I am keenly aware of the childhood obesity epidemic. This is a battle that dietitians have been fighting for many years. I'm glad that Jamie Oliver is shedding light on this horrible situation. The only negative thing I can say is that I wish he would involve dietitians in creating nutritional change.”

QUESTION: Does Oliver make it clear why he came here?

AMY GANNON: “ Absolutely. He wants to change the food environment in the unhealthiest city in America. His motivation for this? Obviously, he's getting a reality show out of it. Otherwise, I'm still not sure about the motivation.”

Meet our panelists

2010-03-22T14:23:00.013-04:00

“Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” premiered Sunday night on ABC to mixed reactions. The Herald-Dispatch has asked a few local residents to watch the show each week and share their thoughts on this blog.

Here are our panelists:

Oliver to be on "Nightline" tonight

2010-03-19T16:55:00.001-04:00

Jamie Oliver will be on tonight's episode of ABC's "Nightline."

Read more about it at our Stay Tuned blog, written by TV blogger Angela Henderson.

ABC moves up premiere date for Jamie Oliver show

2010-03-18T13:56:00.000-04:00

HUNTINGTON -- ABC is offering an early sneak peak of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" at 10 p.m. Sunday, March 21.

The premiere episode of the show will replay at 8 p.m. Friday, March 26, followed by the second episode of the show. The sneak peak episode will follow a new episode of the network's popular "Desperate Housewives."

"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" focuses on Oliver's efforts in Huntington last year to promote healthier eating habits by encouraging food preparation from fresh ingredients.

Those efforts were focused on local schools, families and a kitchen to teach people how to cook.

Cabell County Schools is working to implement Oliver's menu and the kitchen, now called Huntington's Kitchen, is offering low-cost cooking classes for local residents.

The ABC description of the second episode details Oliver's work and disagreements with cooks at Central City Elementary and school system administrators, as well as some opposition from local radio disc jockey Rod Willis.

Check this blog each week for news on the show and what local residents think of each episode.