Before writing on this time’s article, which is very endearing to me, I would like to tell you a bit more about the Food Revolution movement. Food Revolution started as an initiative of English chef Jamie Oliver, who had noticed when serving food at his pub that English people wanted more and more junk food (mostly chips). He thought that this was not a way to eat, so he started creating new recipes, based on the English tradition, which combines vegetables, fruits and meat/fish. After his father’s pub, Oliver thought he had to take this way of thinking and cooking in the schools as well, because in his opinion, people’s memory of food started since in childhood.

In just one visit in English schools, Oliver noticed that children were eating the worst food, what is more important, they had no general understanding of food and cooking. They didn’t know fruits, vegetables and everything produced by the earth. They didn’t know about many animals and plants. Oliver started to work with the school canteens, changing their menus and the food children consumed in their lunch break.

After that, Oliver took this initiative to America, where he gained even more fame (especially in California).

In 2012, his work having gained a broad attention in schools and communities, Oliver decided to make his movement not just a personal matter but went internationally, creating “Food Revolution” in collaboration with BBC.

Food Revolution Movement in Albania, started in May 2013 by Dhurata Thanasi. With the passing of the years, the group has expanded and now we are a relatively bid team which organizes different events in Albania.

I have been working voluntarily for this movement in the last 2 years and I have the pleasure to share with you that this year I have been awarded from England as Food Ambassador in Albania.

This year, differently from other times, we decided to take our activities for the Food Revolution Day to 2 public schools. Respectively; public elementary and middle school “Niket Dardani” and public high school “Sami Frasheri”. This time, Orana and I were organizers of the event (click HERE to read more about Orana’s event at “Sami Frasheri” High School).

It was an exciting challenge due to the fact that it was a very big responsibility and I had to work with children and young teenagers; an age ideal to learn about food and nurturing basics.

The theme we decided to work with the children was like a nostalgia for me, back to the days I was at their age.

I remember my mum used to prepare food for me and my sisters to take with us at school. I could not imagine spending a day without my mum’s special cooking. I often liked to take food and share with my friends as well. When I grew up I started preparing my own food, I didn’t like going to school with an empty lunch box. But as much as it is a fond memory, I also remember that this was not really considered as something very “cool” by other children who would look strangely at my food in a box, or wrapped in aluminum paper. My mum’s lesson to always eat healthily helped me go beyond shyness and go on with my attitude.

I decided to work with the children for the creation of a healthy food packet which they would like to take and eat at school. Every class would create a packet of its own. The criteria was the use of sessional fruits and vegetables, and the children had to prepare the food themselves.

“Niket Dardani” school was very dedicated towards food and healthy living even before our collaboration. Since from our initial talks with the directress, I learned that they organized a yearly food fair where all children and parents brought characteristic regional and family food, which they sold to the open public. The gathered money went to the pupils’ government. This was the children’s favourite yearly activity and they were happy we could make it an even bigger and happier event, where everyone was free to participate. The children were set to cook the food by themselves and sell it at a symbolic price.

It was overwhelming to see children come in preparatory meeting with lots of notes and ideas.

May 19^th came in a blink of an eye and everyone at the school was excited. The children helped setting the tables in the school yard and welcomed their guests; among which even chefs from the 3 seasons of Master Chef Albania: Renato Mekolli, Alfio Rrotani, Indrit Cela, Uan Vogli, Fabjola Sulmina, Irdi Keci and Leonardo Gega. The chefs tried the children’s foods and the children were very happy to explain to them their ideas of healthy cooking.

Food, once again, brought people together, as well as a lot of joy and happiness. It remains one of life’s pleasures, bonding people regardless of religion, origin or race. And this activity was the best prove.

I would like to thank: CONAD Albania and LUFRA for their support and for sponsoring this event with their products; Mr. Albi Greva, director of Vodafone Albania Foundation, who supported us during the most critic phases of our project; the Master Chefs who made the event even happier with their presence; Shije Magazine and their journalists which followed us during the project; “Niket Dardani” directress and pedagogical staff who helped us along all the process.

A hearty thank you for all their time and love goes to the Food Revolution Albania girls; Dhurata, who introduced me with movement and has helped me so much, I want to thank her for this opportunity; Orana, who is my right hand in this project; Ejona and Joana, 2 amazing girls who I had the good luck to meat during this project and who were an important part in organizing this event; and naturally the Food Revolution Albania team: Eldisa Lloshi Zebo, Sokol Prenga, Mondi Kikino, who are always happy to contribute and be present in such events.