Registration is Free, but space is limited.
Lunch Competition
Academies of Loudoun | Lisa Haughie, Advisor | Loudoun County
Arlington Career Center | Renee Randolph, Advisor | Arlington County
Chantilly Academy | Clay Doubleday, Advisor | Fairfax County
Franklin Middle School | Siri Jeffry, Advisor | Fairfax County
Harper Park Middle School | Shannon Hunter, Advisor | Loudoun County
Herndon High School | Lauren Spector, Advisor | Fairfax County
Parkside Middle School | Cyndy Mattia, Advisor | Prince William County
Rocky Run Middle School | Lisa Marik, Advisor | Fairfax County
Sandburg Middle School | Heather Jones, Advisor | Fairfax County
Takoma Park Middle School | Heather Davis, Advisor | Montgomery County
West Potomac High School | Sarah Buchowski Newton, Advisor | Fairfax County
Breakfast Showcase
Glasgow Middle School | Nadine Massman, Advisor | Fairfax County
Harper Park Middle School | Shannon Hunter, Advisor | Loudoun County
Kenmore Middle School | Beverly Coyle, Advisor | Arlington County
Parkside Middle School | Cyndy Mattia, Advisor | Prince William County
Rocky Run Middle School | Lisa Marik, Advisor | Fairfax County
Snack Showcase
Blue Ridge Middle School | Holly Myers, Advisor | Loudoun County
Glasgow Middle School | Nadine Massman, Advisor | Fairfax County
Harper Park Middle School | Shannon Hunter, Advisor | Loudoun County
Lanier Middle School | Susan von Schaack, Advisor | Fairfax County
Parkside Middle School | Cyndy Mattia, Advisor | Prince William County
Rocky Run Middle School | Lisa Marik, Advisor | Fairfax County
Sandburg Middle School | Heather Jones, Advisor | Fairfax County
West Potomac High School | Sarah Buchowski Newton, Advisor | Fairfax County
NO ONE KNOWS SCHOOL FOOD BETTER THAN THE STUDENTS WHO BUY IT
One event gives them a voice in what gets served
The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge is an annual event that gives students in the National Capital Region a platform to influence and change what is served in their school cafeterias.
The “challenge” at the heart of this competition is the same one faced by school food professionals every day: to craft healthy and delicious menu items that conform to USDA guidelines and adhere to strict per-meal budgets. Lunch entries are judged by a panel of students, school food professionals, chefs, and local luminaries. The winning dish is featured in school cafeterias across the region the following year.
Since 2014, hundreds of middle and high school students from across the Region have competed in the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge. Along the way they have created exciting new school lunch options for thousands of area students and influenced school food professionals to embrace healthier options.
This year, a record number of teams, representing five school districts in the Greater D.C. metro will be sharing their creations with the public. Attendees will get to sample the entries from 12 teams competing in the School Lunch Category and from 15 teams sharing ideas for School Breakfast and Smart Snacks. Every recipe complies with USDA School Meal guidelines and can be adapted in our school cafeterias. No other event in the nation gives students this level of influence on what gets served in our schools.
It’s a delicious, nutritious and inspirational event you don’t want to miss.
5 SCHOOL DISTRICTS
27 TEAMS
1 WINNING SCHOOL LUNCH
PUBLIC TASTING
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
EXHIBIT / SPONSOR
OUR PARTNERS HALL IS GROWING
The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge offers a unique opportunity for sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers to reach an influential audience including:
Local and regional elected officials
School administrators
Culinary professionals
Teachers
Parents
Our inspired and creative students!
This year’s event will draw a record number of participants, including over 100 students from 5 school districts in the National Capital Region, along with an anticipated crowd of 400+ audience members. We will also reach a broader audience of Real Food for Kids supporters and the general public through promotions on email and social media, and expected coverage in traditional press outlets.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect with the unique audience at this exciting event!
2018 Exhibitors
Action for Healthy Kids
Anthem
Fairfax Farmer's Market
Fairfax Food Council
Family Consumer and Career Leaders of America
Forward Food
George Mason University School of Nutrition and Food Studies
Giant Food
Innovation Health
INOVA’s Healthy Plate Club
Johnson and Wales University
KIND Company
Silver Diner
Stratford University
Student Nutrition Advisory Council
The Art Institutes of Washington
Virginia Cooperative Extension
2019 Culinary Challenge
Hayfield Secondary School
March 2, 2019
11 AM - 1 PM
ABOUT US
Real Food For Kids is committed to working in collaboration with our partners to increase the quantities of healthful foods in our school systems, developing and delivering programs that educate our students and their families on making healthier lifestyle choices, and ensuring access to real whole foods for all school children.
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