Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver expands Ministry of Food program to help obese Australians - News.com.au

Jamie Oliver's is working with the Baillieu Government to help overweight Victorians lead healthier lives. Picture: Herald Sun Source: Herald Sun

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JAMIE Oliver is excited about the prospect of helping save children from obesity and allowing overweight Victorians to lead healthier lives.

The crusading chef is working with the Baillieu Government to expand his Ministry of Food program, which will be included in a $40 million budget for healthy living initiatives, the Herald Sun reported.

The Herald Sun believes the Government is keen on Oliver's program after his success in the UK and a recently opened centre in Ipswich, Queensland.

"I'm really supportive of the Victorian Government's plan for an anti-obesity campaign," Oliver told the Herald Sun.

"The Good Foundation team have been working with the Government to discuss plans to roll out my Ministry of Food centres.

"Our first Australian centre in Ipswich has been a huge success and we need more of these centres in towns that need our help."

The Ministry of Food program revolves around community centres where people are taught about nutrition and how to prepare simple, cheap, healthy meals for their families.

The Ipswich centre was opened in April in partnership with the Queensland Government, which provided $2.5 million over four years, offering 10-week healthy cooking courses.

Victoria's Health Department hopes to expand its healthy living program more widely, establishing centres in the most needy suburbs and towns.

Oliver said the Ministry of Food was meant to inspire people to get back to basics in the kitchen.

"It's a little bit of mentoring and basic education on how to cook quick, tasty, affordable meals, so that people can make better food choices for themselves and their families," he said.

"When you know how to cook, you've got control over your life and your health. Cooking is one of the most important things we can ever learn in life.

"With the right sort of information and teaching, absolutely anybody can cook. It's wonderful, it's fun, and, most importantly, it changes lives."