Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > Lily Radtke wins nationwide Healthy Lunchtime Challenge
Posted 27 Jun 2016
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is proud to announce that Lily Radtke, age 11, is Arkansas's 2016 winner of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge is a nationwide recipe challenge for kids, coordinated by First Lady Michelle Obama, PBS station WGBH Boston, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The challenge promotes cooking and healthy eating as part of First Lady Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move!' initiative.
Radtke submitted her recipe for a dish titled Asian in Arkansas. Elements featured in the dish include Spring Rolls, Edamame Salad and Watermelon Skewers.
'Lily is small in stature but big in heart, and cooking is a place where she feels especially skilled,' said Radtke's mother, Catherine Radtke. 'Rice and soybeans are huge crops in Arkansas, so Lily decided to showcase these two things in her recipe.'
As Arkansas's representative, Lilly Radtke – along with 55 winners from other U.S. states, territories and Washington, D.C. – is invited to attend a Kids' 'State Dinner' at the White House Thursday, July 14. The dinner will be hosted by Mrs. Obama, and will be followed by a visit to the White House Kitchen Garden. The winning chefs will also have the opportunity to learn from television personality and member of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Rachael Ray.
A free, downloadable and printable e-cookbook featuring Radtke's recipe for Asian in Arkansas, along with those for all of the nation's winning dishes, will be available beginning July 14 at LetsMove.gov, USDA.gov and Ed.gov.
'Kids are truly embracing and enjoying healthy eating and preparing healthy meals for their families,' said First Lady Michelle Obama. '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.'
The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge is a nationwide recipe challenges for kids ages 8-12 that promotes cooking and healthy eating. Coordinated by First Lady Michelle Obama, PBS flagship station WGBH Boston, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the contest invites America's kids to create a lunchtime recipe that's healthy, affordable and delicious. Healthy Lunchtime Challenge entries were required to represent each of the food groups — including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy — either in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal. In support of the First Lady's 'Let's Move!' initiative, young chefs are encouraged to reference information at ChooseMyPlate.gov to ensure recipes meet the USDA's recommended nutrition guidance. Further information about the contest is available at pbs.org/parents/lunchtimechallenge.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network is Arkansas's statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. More information is available at aetn.org. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).