NEW: RI Girl Wins Michelle Obama’s “Healthy Lunchtime Challenge”
Thursday, June 20, 2013
12-year-old Samantha Mastrati was today named a winner of Michelle Obama’s second annual “Healthy Lunchtime Challenge,” with her recipe for “Italian Garden Salse with Crunchy Chicken Tenders.” In recognition of her efforts, Mastrati and the 53 other winners will join the First Lady for lunch at the White House next month, featuring a selection of the winning dishes, and a tour of the White House kitchen garden.
About the Challenge
The challenge reresents part of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, aimed at combating childhood obesity. Children between 8-12 years of age were asked to create a luncthime recipe that is healthy, affordable, original, and delicious. Each dish had to adhere to USDA’s MyPlate health criteria, with fruits and vegetables making up half of the plate.
Epicurious, the challenge’s founder, received over 1300 entries. Health-aware winning recipes included “Kale, Broccoli, Chicken and Apple Salad,” “Vegan Powerhouse Pesto Pasta,” and a “Bring it on, Brussel Spout Wrap!”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTEach dish was also accompanied by an anecdote explaining the importance of healthy eating. “The insight from the kids who entered the challenge demonstrates that today’s youth understands the need to strengthen their bodies and minds with the most wholesome ingredients available,” said Tanya Steel, Epicurious editor-in-chief.
“By taking steps today to help our young people adopt healthy eating habits, we’re not just improving their health in the short term – we’re giving them important tools that will last a lifetime,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, whose business was a partner in the challenge.
The full list of winners can be found here. A free, downloadable e-book of the wining recipes and photographs will be available in July at the contest site, letsmove.gov, USDA.gov, and Ed.gov.
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