Changing the future of school food

Healthy Schools Campaign and the National Farm to School Network challenged students across the US to compete in this national competition to design a healthy school lunch. Using only ingredients commonly available for food service, students created healthy meals that include a locally grown item, mees strict nutritional guidelines, and taste great.

In the first round of competition, each three-person team submitted the recipe for their lunch creation along with a few supporting documents. Three teams of students from each division (high school and college) were then selected by a panel of chef judges to receive an all-expenses paid trip to Taking Root, the National Farm to Cafeteria conference in Detroit, Michigan to compete in the Cooking up Change finals. All finalists won a fabulous set of cookware from T-fal! In the final round, each team battled for first place as they prepared their meal and served to a panel of prestigious judges. Meet the winning teams »

We are thrilled to welcome Karen Duncan, wife of Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and Christie Vilsack, wife of Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, as National Honorary Co-Chairs of Cooking up Change.

Thank you for joining us in cheering on the young chefs as they raise a unified voice about the importance of healthy school food in Cooking up Change!