“Cooking skills used to be passed down from generation to generation, but now millions of people lack even the most basic cooking skills. We need to get back to basics: to cook and eat fresh local produce; to share cooking skills and food knowledge; to join forces within communities and get as many people involved as possible. Food Revolution Day is our opportunity to get the world to focus on the importance of good food and essential cooking skills, by rallying our efforts to empower people with better cooking skills and to inspire them to cook fresh food from scratch.” Jamie Oliver

Friday May 17th is Food Revolution Day around the globe. Renowned chef and passionate real food activist Jamie Oliver has rallied an army of volunteers to spread the word about the vital importance of food education and cooking skills and it’s an amazing opportunity to participate in free local events or plan your own special food celebration.

In my community, fitness expert Sue Abell has organized cooking classes and free seminars around the city and you can follow this link to find out exact times and locations. You can also head over to Jamie Oliver’s site to find out what events are planned in your neighbourhood.

And in case you can’t find a scheduled activity nearby – you can always celebrate this revolutionary day your own special way. Here are a few suggestions:

– Research a local CSA – Community Shared Agriculture has developed a real groundswell of support over the last several years and chances are you have a farm in your area that is part of this movement. In return for purchasing a share in their farm, you receive a portion of the harvest. It’s a wonderful way to support a local farmer and to enjoy a bounty of locally grown food.

– Scout out a Farmer’s Market– most communities have at least one market where local farmers can set up shop and sell their beautiful home-grown produce. There is nothing better than a juicy tomato fresh off of the vine or a box of newly picked strawberries. Make sure you bring your children along to help pick out their favourite fruits and vegetables and to introduce them to the people growing their food.

– Plant a Garden – whether you have a huge yard or a small balcony, you can set up your own garden using a small plot of land or a variety of containers. It’s so much fun to watch your little seeds grow into plants overflowing with tomatoes, beans, herbs and a variety of fruits and vegetables. And most children love being a part of the growing process and will take pride in eating the fruits of their labours.

– Try out a new Whole Foods Recipe with your Family -challenge yourself to cook everything from scratch using only real food (nothing processed). Why not set up a huge salad bar on your kitchen table with a wide variety of toppings and let your family serve themselves? Or enlist the help of your kids to whip up some homemade pancakes and a giant fruit salad?

– Get your Kids Involved in Preparing a Meal or Snack– and talk to them about the ingredients and where they come from. Use this as an opportunity to introduce them to foods they may not know about and teach them why these foods are healthy for their bodies. This is great time to try out quinoa, beets, avocado, mango, zucchini, couscous, goji berries and countless other amazing foods that are sometimes  overlooked. Be adventurous and your kids will follow suit.

– Host a “Food Revolution” Dinner Party– ask everyone to bring one dish that is prepared from scratch and the recipe to share with the group. And don’t forget the local organic wine!

Jamie Oliver is a dad, a chef, an activist, a teacher and an inspiration- and his message is a powerful one: “the rise of diet related illness has become the biggest killer on the planet and we need to take action.” This Friday, let’s honour our bodies, our health and our children by buying, cooking and eating real whole foods. Join the revolution!