As the GSF Foundation continues to work in local communities to help raise awareness and provide meals for the food insecure, they recently partnered with Kid Healthy on their “Cooking Up Change” event, a student-led movement to create healthy, great tasting meals that meet the real-life requirements of the national school meal program. The contest, which took place at the Northgate Gonzalez Market Headquarters in Anaheim, California, drew 10 local high schools to compete and was hosted by Dan Kohler, Emmy-Nominated Senior Culinary Producer of Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family.
Each team of high school students was asked to develop one main dish with one vegetable and fruit side. The winner, Sonora High School in La Habra, California won a $1,000 scholarship for their team, culinary supplies and a tour of the Taco Bell Headquarters Test Kitchen. The win also earned them the opportunity to compete against 10 other cities at the national competition in Washington, D.C.!
The teams were judged by a panel of local professionals, including GSF’s Shellie Frey, Group Vice President of Corporate Communications, who was joined by representatives from Rockview Dairy, Chiquita, Kraft-Heinz, Northgate Gonzalez Market, Thermomix and many more.
“It was such an honor to represent GSF and judge these talented, enthusiastic students from all over the county,” said Shellie. “I was impressed with their ability to create such healthy plates that tasted great – all from school lunch meal program items! No one will go hungry with these lunches on the menu. Congratulations to all the competing teams, especially Sonora, for their winning culinary creations!”