LAUSD declines help from celebrity chef

The Los Angeles Unified School District refused an offer from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to have its schools featured on his reality television show Food Revolution.

The show, which will come to Los Angeles for its second season, aims to make school lunches healthier for children and teach them about proper nutrition.

LAUSD wrote a letter to Joe Coleman, the supervising producer of the show, on Oct. 25, thanking him for the opportunity but ultimately declining the offer.

“While we appreciate your interest in our school meal program, we believe our direct work with nutrition experts, health advocates, the community, schools and students is the most effective strategy for our continued success and improvement,” Melissa Infusino, the director of partnerships in the superintendent’s office, wrote in the letter, reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The letter also cited how the show would be too time consuming for students and staff, which would only compound other problems, such as the shortened school year.

“Due to these budgetary challenges, participation in the Food Revolution program would prevent us from committing 100% of our efforts to our students,” the letter said.