In 2011, the Ionia Kids Club in partnership with the Community Food Network created Ionia's First Healthy Kids Recipe Contest. After 2 successful events, hundreds of child friendly cookbooks have been distributed in Montcalm and Ionia Counties through Food Pantries and other distribution resources.
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| 2012 Healthy Recipes Contest Winners |
For 2013, we are looking for other Community Food Network Partners to take on this simple easy project! The planning has all been done for you! All you have to do is figure out when and where to hold this simple community event!
Where: To Be Determined
When: To Be Determined
Who: Everyone is invited to join us for this fun, family-friendly potluck dinner and contest to search for local recipes that make it easy to eat healthy foods! This contest is designed to be a fun, educational event with a purpose!
How: First, enjoy working with your family or friends to find that perfect recipe that is enjoyed at family picnics and gatherings. Second, tweak that recipe to make it as healthy as possible and include as much locally grown produce as possible. Third, bring your recipe as a dish to pass for our potluck. Include a recipe card and a donations jar!
Why: This event is part of our “Plant a Seed, Feed a Stranger, Grow a Community!” outreach to help everyone have access to fresh, locally grown produce. Recipes will be collected and assembled into cookbooks, then distributed throughout Montcalm & Ionia Counties.
Prizes donated by... to be determined by your group! The Community Food Network has some goodies available to fill prize packages.
View these downloadable and editable resources:
If your organization would like to hold one of these contests in your community, the Community Food Network will help you to modify this event to work for you!
The Community Food Network will also assist you with marketing materials and spreading the word about your event! All we ask in return is that you donate the recipes to this year's cookbook along with a total number of participants at your event.
Seriously...What could be easier then this fun, family friendly potluck event!
Contact the Community Food Network for more information: ICCFoodNetwork@gmail.com 616-755-8050This local event was modeled after a National Event started at the White House as part of the Let's Move Initiative to encourage healthy eating and activities. Learn what is happening with this project in 2013 from the Let's Move BLOG
2013 Kids' State Dinner Winners Announced
Some of America’s most creative junior chefs put their talents to the test and whipped up over 1,300 delicious lunchtime recipes as part of the second annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. The competition was steep, but a panel of judges selected one winning recipe from each U.S. state and three of the U.S. territories. The winning recipes were chosen based on guidance that supports USDA’s MyPlate to ensure that meals were affordable, original, healthy, and delicious.
On July 9th, these fifty-four budding chefs will travel with their parents to the White House for the second annual Kids’ “State Dinner.” The group will join The First Lady for a healthy lunch, featuring a selection of the winning recipes, followed by a visit to the White House kitchen garden.
“Our Kids’ State Dinner is one of my favorite events of the year, and the kid chefs who come from around the country never cease to impress and inspire me with their creativity and ingenuity. I’m counting down the days until the winners join me at the White House to celebrate these healthy and delicious meals that kids everywhere will love.” - First Lady Michelle Obama.
Winning entries feature wholesome, tasty ingredients including salmon, black beans and ground turkey. Check out all of the winners and featured recipes and watch the behind the scenes preparation for the Kids’ State Dinner.
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