12 -Year-Old Portland Girl Named State’s Winner in Michelle Obama’s “Healthy Lunchtime Challenge”

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

GoLocalPDX News Team

Hannah Conte, 12, of Oregon has been announced as the state winner for Michelle Obama's "Healthy Lunchtime Challenge" with the recipe called "All Kale Caesar.

She, along with the other winners and a parent, will attend a "State Dinner" at the White House on July 14.

"For the last five years, kids across the country have cooked up nutritious and delicious dishes as part of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, and each year, I continue to be impressed by their talent and creativity. Kids are truly embracing and enjoying healthy eating and preparing healthy meals for their families, and I look forward to meeting this year's winners here at the White House for the Kids' "State Dinner" and trying some of their tasty creations," said Michelle Obama.

The Challenge

This is the 5th year of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids "State Dinner" in which 8 to 12-year-olds across the nation were invited to create a healthy, affordable and original lunch recipe.

Entrants were encouraged to reference ChooseMyPlate.gov to ensure recipes met the USDA's recommended nutrition guidance by representing each of the food groups, either in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low fat dairy.

Winners were chosen by a panel of judges which included Debra Eschmeyer, Executive Director of Let's Move! and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition; Lauren Purcell, Editor-in-Chief ofRachael Ray Every Day Magazine; Jackie Haven, MS, RD, Deputy Director, USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion; Stephenie Fu, Senior Policy Advisor, USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion; Gena Kochan, Office of General Counsel, USDA; Kristina Spencer, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Education; Tanya Steel, Editorial Director of Clean Plates; previous Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winners; and participants in the Common Threads program for children.

Click here for the full list of winners.