WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed wants Rhode Island kids to show off their culinary skills and win a trip to the first-ever kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House.

First Lady Michelle Obama, in conjunction with the U.S. Departments of Education and Agriculture and Epicurious.com, are launching a nationwide recipe challenge to promote healthy lunches, and the winner from each state will be invited to a White House Kids State Dinner this summer.

The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ “State Dinner” invites kids between the ages of 8 and 12 to work with their parents or legal guardian to create an original, nutritious lunchtime recipe that is “healthy, affordable, and tasty.”  Entries should represent each of the food groups, either in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal, including fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and protein and low-fat dairy foods.  Entrants are encouraged to reference the nutritional guidelines of the USDA’s site, ChooseMyPlate.gov, to ensure recipes meet the primary criterion of being healthier. 

“This is a great opportunity for kids and their parents to have fun and promote healthy eating.  Plus, everyone knows Rhode Island has the best food in the country.  The real challenge will be for the White House to select just one winner from our state,” said Reed, who helped increase federal funding for school breakfast and lunch programs through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act so more kids will have access to a stable source of nutritious food.

The winning recipes will be available free to all in a downloadable and printable e-cookbook that features nutritional analysis, and photos and drawings of the recipes, available via the contest web site, letsmove.gov, USDA.gov, and Ed.gov.

Recipes may be submitted now through June 17, either online at or via mail at:

The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge

c/o Epicurious.com

1166 Avenue of the Americas, 15th Floor

New York, NY 10036

Winners will be notified on July 16.  The White House Kids “State Dinner” is currently scheduled to take place in August 2012.  Winners will receive free air travel to Washington, DC and accommodations at a Westin Hotel.  For more information and contest rules, visit: www.recipecontest.epicurious.com.