- Author: Sophie Loeb
In October 2015, UC CalFresh collaborated with healthy hub website, eatFresh.org, to host a Youth Video Cooking Challenge, inviting participants to make a short cooking video based on a recipe found on the eatFresh.org website. UC CalFresh received two entries, which are currently on the UCCE San Mateo San Francisco YouTube playlist and will be hosted on the eatFresh.org website as well. The two entrants (winners!), Ellie Grubb and Katerine Chung, will be given a cash prize as well as some assorted UC CalFresh Cookbooks, and a bag and apron from EatFresh.
“Although we didn't get a huge amount of participation, I am very impressed with the submissions we did get and I look forward to leading similar competitions and challenges for youth in 2016!” commented 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador Program Coordinator, Phil Minnick.
Adrienne Markworth, of San Francisco based nonprofit, Leah's pantry, whose mission is to develop nutrition programs and online tools such as eatFresh.org, was impressed by the two entries.
“The videos were a terrific way to highlight youth, engage our kids, and to promote eatFresh.org,” commented Markworth.
eatFresh.org is a website that takes the guesswork out of building tasty recipes on a budget. Recipes range from Herbed Potato Salad to Chinese Rice Soup, and can be easily customized to a variety of dietary preferences.
“These entries are great examples of how eatFresh.org receipes are really easy to make... healthy food doesn't have to be expensive, or complicated. This challenge reinforced that healthy food isn't unapproachable and youth can take charge of their own health and health of their families,” noted Markworth.
Winner Katerine Chung made a Spring Spread because “it had a lot of vegetables,and looked delicious and I thought it'll be good for kids/teens to learn it, since it's healthy, easy and convenient.” Chung, who learned how to cook at age 6, was inspired to enter the contest after listening to a presentation on nutritious eating in her health class at Galileo High School. Chung loves food and is the type of person who “loves to eat and create new recipes” and finds happiness in knowing that “whoever is eating the food is enjoying it as much as I enjoyed cooking it”.
According to Chung: “nutritious cooking/eating is important because it provides you with a healthier life and more food choices. It can also prevent you from having chronic diseases. Eating healthy and being active contributes to a healthy lifestyle.”
Though she is not a part of a formal nutrition program, Chung ensures that she is honing her edible education by partnering with her cousin to make nutritious, delicious, and simple-to-make recipes at home.
Markworth concluded: “The videos are adorable. I get such a kick out of young people being so confident. This is exactly how kids should be and are such great examples to come out of the community. We at Leah's Pantry were just tickled by the whole thing.”