|  | CALLING KID CULINARY CREATORS!
1/25/2005 10:50 AMSaint Paul Public Schools, Whole Foods Market and Cafe Latte have launched a citywide contest to bring some Saint Paul flavor to the school district's menu.
From now through April 1, 2005, students enrolled in the Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) are being called upon to participate in the "Kids' Choice Entree Salad Recipe Contest" by submitting a recipe that will be judged on taste and appeal; originality and creativity; nutritional value; ease of preparation; and cost.
Saint Paul Public Schools Nutrition Services staff will choose finalists in each category, and a panel of kid judges will pick the winning recipes. In addition to their salads being added to the school lunch menu for the 2005-6 academic year, winners and runners up will receive prizes, to be determined. One recipe will be chosen in each of two categories--elementary and secondary. Whole Foods Market and Cafe Latte, two St. Paul businesses known for their natural food offerings, are sponsoring the contest.
"Saint Paul Public Schools is delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Whole Foods and Cafe Latte, businesses that share our belief that children need meal options that are healthy and delicious," said Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Patricia Harvey. "We're looking forward to sampling our students' recipes and to expanding our menu to include their tastes."
"This contest is a way to educate kids about the foods they eat, while encouraging them to eat more fruits and vegetables," says Deborah Vajda, marketing specialist for the St. Paul Whole Foods Market. "Part of our community outreach at Whole Foods Market is working with local schools. We want to help raise a generation of kids who know how to do more than open a container and put it in the microwave. We want to help make healthful food fun. With this contest we're saying, 'Go ahead, play with your food!'"
Recipes must meet USDA nutritional requirements for protein and fruits or vegetables as well as fall within the districts cost guidelines. For example, each entree salad must contain a minimum of two ounces of protein and a minimum of one-fourth cup fruits or vegetables. The cost must not exceed 65 cents per serving. Criteria for a healthful salad, including guidelines for protein, vegetables and fruit can be found at www.sppsrecipecontest.com.
How to Enter
To enter, students must fill out the official Kids Choice Entree Salad Recipe Contest registration form, available in SPPS cafeterias, at Whole Foods Market in St. Paul, Cafe Latte, and at the contest's Web site, www.sppsrecipecontest.com. In addition, entry forms will be sent home with all SPPS elementary school students with the February lunch menu. Registration forms can be submitted at SPPS cafeterias or faxed to 651-293-5322. The deadline to submit entries is April 1, 2005. Winners will be announced in April 2005.
About Whole Foods Market
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the worlds largest natural and organic foods supermarket and Americas first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2003, the company had sales of $3.1 billion and currently has more than 160 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Whole Foods Market motto, Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet captures the company's mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Whole Foods Market, Harry's Farmers Market, and Fresh & Wild are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Whole Foods Market employs more than 30,000 team members and has been ranked for eight consecutive years as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America by Fortune magazine.
About Cafe Latte
Cafe Latte opened Sept 1984 as a neighborhood bakery/cafe and has grown to become a St. Paul culinary institution. In more than 20 years of business, it has remained committed to using fresh, natural ingredients to prepare soups, salads, and sandwiches. Cafe Latte bakes all its desserts and hearth breads every day. Its famous Turtle Cake is a perennial winner of local "best dessert" surveys every year. For more information, visit their Web site, www.cafelatte.com.
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