2013 White House Kids’ State Dinner

As part of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s signature “Let’s Move” initiative to end childhood obesity in America, on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 the second annual White House “Kids’ State Dinner” as a formal luncheon was scheduled to celebrate the winners of the 2013 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge.

(2017 UPDATE NOTICE: Unfortunately, the Let’s Move website is no longer active since Michelle Obama is no longer the current First Lady.

You may find that previous availability of recipes and information from the Let’s Move program may have been scrubbed from other government related websites as well.)

Selected healthy focus recipes were featured at the luncheon. (Image of Kids’ State Dinner graphic property of Let’s Move and shown for identification purposes only).

The DC Central Kitchen was again the site utilized for the finalist judging for the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge Kids’ State Dinner entries back on May 31, 2013 (courtesy of Michael Curtin, CEO). Per report, some 1,300 recipe submissions were narrowed down to just 2 recipes per submission state/(territory aka possession)/ (federal) District of Columbia of the USA to be prepared and from which the actual winners were chosen.

Judges also included former White House Chef Sam Kass (also former Exec. Director of the  Let’s Move initiative), Tanya Steel of Epicurious, plus staff from the USDA and the USED (and also a White House liaison to USED), as well as two child judges who are graduates of the Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters program by the names of Sabrina Burton and Cha’lita Willia. For a peek at what the judging involved, check out a youtube video.

In 2013, 54 junior chef (8 – 11 years old) child winners (up to one per above location) along with a parent/guardian per child were deemed eligible to attend the Kids’ State Dinner at the White House courtesy of the Let’s Move Initiative and their partners in the 2013 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge.

Live viewing of the event was scheduled for Tuesday, 09JULY2013 at 11:25 A.M Eastern Daylight Savings Time. 

It’s exciting to know that young people have been so enthusiastic about how real food can help shape their own lives and those of others in a positive way. They represent the “melting pot” of America and you just might find that reading some of their stories inspires you with their can-do attitude and creativity.

The 2013 eCookbook featuring all of the winning recipes was available through USDA.
Enjoy!

The 2013 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge

 Winning Recipes:

ALABAMA  Kale, Broccoli, Chicken, and Apple Salad

ALASKA  Alaskan Ceviche with Mango

ARIZONA  Banana’s Black Bean Burritos

ARKANSAS  Confetti Spring Rolls with Orange-Cilantro Sauce

CALIFORNIA  Pork and Tofu Lettuce Cups

COLORADO  Sushi Salad

CONNECTICUT  Quinoa “Risotto” with Shrimp and Kale

DELAWARE  Tortilla Bowl Deluxe

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA  Inga Binga’s Salmon Salad

FLORIDA  Summer Salmon

GEORGIA  Sweet Potato Turkey Slider

HAWAII  Curried Chicken Salad and Taste of the Tropics Fruit Bowl

IDAHO  Veggie Barley Salad with Orange-Honey Vinaigrette

ILLINOIS  Black Bean Wrap with Jicama–Grilled Corn Salsa

INDIANA  Sneaky Chili Surprise

IOWA  Stone Curry with Brown Rice

KANSAS  Fun Mini Pizzas with Veggies & Cauliflower Crust

KENTUCKY  Raisin Bran Muffins

LOUISIANA  Sweet and Spicy Stir-Fry

MAINE  Vegan Powerhouse Pesto Pasta

MARYLAND  Chicken Masala Wrap

MASSACHUSETTS  Shefali’s Scrumptious Spring Roll

MICHIGAN  Picky-Eater Pita Pizza Pockets

MINNESOTA  Garden Stir-Fry

MISSISSIPPI  Pan-Seared Mississippi Catfish on a Bed of River Rice

MISSOURI  Confetti Peanut-Ginger Party Pasta

MONTANA  Healthy Vegetable Fried Quinoa

NEBRASKA  Terrific Tuna Casserole

NEVADA  Chex Chicken and Bellaberry Smoothie

NEW HAMPSHIRE  Liv’s Curry Chicken Salad  Sandwich

NEW JERSEY  Hawaiian Turkey Sliders with  Mango-Pineapple Salsa

NEW MEXICO  Spinach Frittata

NEW YORK  Super Rescue Soup

NORTH CAROLINA  Spring Rolls

NORTH DAKOTA  Asian Fajitas

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS  Kangkong Pomegranate Salad

OHIO  Kickin’ Colorful Bell Peppers Stuffed with Quinoa

OKLAHOMA  Taco de Camarón

OREGON  Salmon Fried Rice

PENNSYLVANIA  Lentil-Spinach Soup and  Mint Chutney

PUERTO RICO  Yummy Eggplant Lasagna Rolls

RHODE ISLAND  Italian Garden Salsa with Crunchy Chicken Tenders

SOUTH CAROLINA Bring It On Brussels Sprout Wrap!

SOUTH DAKOTA  Hidden Veggie Lasagna

TENNESSEE   Makenna’s Bodacious Banana Muffins

TEXAS   Slam Dunk Veggie Burger

UTAH  Lucky Lettuce Cups

VERMONT  Champ’s Maple BBQ Turkey Burgers

VIRGIN ISLANDS   Zucchini Pancakes & Passion Fruit Banana Smoothie

VIRGINIA  Orange-Chicken Lettuce Wraps

WASHINGTON  Nummy No-Noodle Lasagna

WEST VIRGINIA  Spicy Tofu Lettuce Cups

WISCONSIN  Wisconsin Solar Oven–Simmered Chili

WYOMING  Scrumptious Chili with Zucchini Cornbread