Food Challenge Coaches
REGISTRATION
Click here to sign up to be a Food Challenge Coach.
YOU MUST BE ENROLLED IN 4-H AS A VOLUNTEER! PLEASE COMPLETE ENROLLMENT ASAP!!
Click here to enroll in 4-H.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, September 10, 2025--Coach's School
6:00-7:00 PM at the County Extension OfficeTuesday, October 15, 2025--Deadline to confirm teams going to District with Kaci
Tuesday, November 5, 2025--District 2 Food Challenge Contest at Levelland
TBD--Deadline to register for any of the major stock show Food Challenge contests
Wednesday, January 22, 2025--San Angelo Stock Show Food Challenge Contest
Thursday, February 13, 2025--San Antonio Stock Show Food Challenge Contest
Tuesday, February 18, 2025--Houston Stock Show Food Challenge Contest
GENERAL INFORMATION
2024-25 Team Rosters--coming soon
Coach's School Slide Deck--coming soon
Coach's Manual--coming soon
Coach's Orientation Video--coming soon
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AGE GROUPS
Junior--grades 3-5
Intermediates--grades 6-8
Seniors--grades 9-12
Juniors & Intermediates may form combined teams, however the team will compete in the Intermediate age group. Seniors may only be 4-H'ers in grades 9-12.
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DISTRICT CHANGES FOR 2024-25
Teams are NOT to shake the judge's hands during the team presentations.
Tickets will be placed in team food bags to redeem at the grocery store to purchase items to utilize with their main ingredient. They will be given the number of tickets according to the designated limit of food items they can purchase. The maximum grocery store limits will be announced on the day of the contest in their team orientation.
NEW SUPPLY BOX ITEMS for Seniors & Intermediates (these are OPTIONAL for Juniors):
Bench Scrapers
Meat Tenderizer
Rolling Pin
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Each team will have 3-4 members.
There is no limit on the number of teams each county can enter district.
Seniors--the 1st place team in each category at District advances to the Texas 4-H Roundup in June.
Categories:
Appetizer
Main Dish
Side Dish
Healthy Dessert
Each team has 40 minutes to prepare the dish, plan the presentation, and clean up the preparation area.
Each team will give a 5-minute presentation to a panel of judges. All team members need to have a speaking part!
Juniors & Intermediates--at the end of your presentation, you will be asked clarifying questions based on the scoresheet
Seniors--at the end of your presentation, there is a 3-minute question and answer period in which the judges will ask you questions related to general nutrition, health, chronic disease prevention, or other relevant food and nutrition information.
There will be NO peanut butter used in any age division at the District contest. Please do not practice with peanut butter!
If any of your team members have other allergies, please communicate that with Kaci prior to the contest.
No electronic devices or jewelry (except for medically required) is allowed in contest. This includes cell phones, smart watches, or other communication devices.
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ALL OTHER CONTEST REMINDERS & INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE COACH'S MANUAL.
JUNIORS
Script (remember they can't take this with them on the day of the contest)
40 minutes to prepare, 5-minute presentation, clarifying questions only
NO supply box pantry
can have the mini griddle (only age group this is allowed)
INTERMEDIATES
Script (remember they can't take this with them on the day of contest)
40 minutes to prepare, 5-minute presentation, clarifying questions only
can have a supply box pantry
SENIORS
Script (remember they can't take this with them on the day of contest)
40 minutes to prepare, 5-minute presentation, 3 extra questions not related to the presentation
at state, they will have 3 full minutes of additional questions
can have a supply box pantry
For the additional questions, they will come from these resources:
RESOURCES
In the Resource Folder they will be provided at contest:
Grocery Store Ingredient List
JUNIORS ONLY: My Plate Food Group Servings Chart
Additional Resources:
There is a large list of resources on the Texas 4-H Food & Nutrition webpage
OTHER FOOD CHALLENGE CONTESTS
Info coming soon!
FOR MORE INFORMATION...
Kaci Scott, Lynn CEA-Family & Community Health
kaci.scott@ag.tamu.edu
806.561.4562 | 806.773.9401 (cell)