Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution in Barrie has grown from a single table at city hall to include about two dozen vendors set up at the South Shore Community Centre.
"This is a chance to sample real food and to learn more about healthy choices by talking to the vendors and trying the samples," said organizer Katherine Parent.
The annual event will be held at the South Shore Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.
It's the fifth year that Barrie is celebrating Global Food Day which is Friday, May 20.
Parent was inspired by Jamie Oliver during when his food revolution was in high gear in the United Kingdom back in 2010 and she decided to use her passion for healthy eating to change attitudes in the community.
Chef Jamie Oliver encourages individuals to join his revolution.
"Together, if we speak out now as one united, global voice, we have the power to make meaningful, lasting change in the way our children access, consume and understand food," Oliver writes in his blog.
Local organizers Parent and Kathryn Abel want to inspire parents and children in Barrie to make healthy choices and eat "real food."
"I'm really passionate about this," said Parent, a wholistic nutritionist.
"We have turned into a very convenient society, unfortunately. You don't even have to think about peeling a carrot or washing lettuce and making a salad because it's all done for us. We don't even have to think."
Barrie's Food Revolution can be the first step to creating new habits. Along with the community event, volunteers have visited local schools to teach "real food" habits to children and teens.
"It's a real eye opener," Parent said. While many children understand the importance of healthy food choices, others can't even recognize broccoli or other vegetables when you hold them up in the classroom.
"When you are opening up the lunch box of these kids and there's actually real food in there instead of only processed foods, that's a success."
Join the Food Revolution today and learn more from vendors. There is no charge for the event.
