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Florida 4-H Food Challenge
The 4-H Food Challenge is a contest that provides a fun, yet challenging, food-focused learning opportunity for youth ages 8 to 18, (as of September 1st of the current 4-H year). Youth work in teams of 3-4 youth, of the same age division, to create a dish using a predetermined set of ingredients and cooking utensil/equipment. First, each team plans and prepares one of the randomly assigned dish while being judged on their food safety skills, teamwork, and ability to manage time and resources. Then youth present their finished dish, deliver a five-minute presentation, and answer questions about their dish to a panel of judges.
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County Level
County level events are held at the discretion of the county 4-H Extension Agent.
Contest Date Determined by County Age Division Juniors/Intermediates/Seniors Placings 1st, 2nd, 3rd for each age division Who moves on? 1st place for Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Team -
Administrative District Level
Key Questions:
Age Division Juniors, Intermediates, & Seniors (ages 8-18 as of September 1 of current 4-H year) Placings 1st, 2nd, 3rd for each age division Who moves on? 1st place for Intermediate and Senior Team
Information:
District Registration Registration Deadline Address Contest Date Check- In Contest Begins Lead Contact Northwest District 4-H Online Direct Link October 30, 2025 North Florida Fair November 14, 2025 3:00 PM 5:00PM Nicole Crawson | ncrawson@ufl.edu Northeast & Central Districts 4-H Online Direct Link January 2, 2026 Lake County Extension Office January 17, 2026 9:30-9:45AM 10:00 am Shane Michael | shanemic@ufl.edu Southwest & Southeast Districts 4-H Online Direct Link December 29, 2025 Highlands County Extension January 10, 2026 9:30-9:45AM 10:00 am John Ferguson john.ferguson@ufl.edu
Amber Norris amber.norris@ufl.edu
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State Level
Key Questions Information Location Florida State Fair in Tampa - Special Events Center Building Date February 14, 2026 | 10:00 am Age Top Intermediate and Senior teams from each Administrative District Registration Open through February 2, 2026 via 4-H Online Placings 1st, 2nd and 3rd for each age division
1st place Senior qualifies for the National Food ChallengeSchedule Check-In 9:00-9:45AM | Orientation 9:45AM | Start 10:00AM Contact Marie Arick at jmarick@ufl.edu
Register in 4-H online for your district contests and state contest if you advance.
4-H Online Registration
- Northwest District Contest: https://NWFoodChallenge2025.4honline.com
- Northeast and Central District Contest: https://NEandCentralFoodChallenge2025.4honline.com
- Southeast and Southwest District Contest: https://SWSEFoodChallenge2025.4honline.com
- State Contest https://statefoodchallenge2025.4honline.com
For more information and resources click HERE.
Contact Info
Marie Arick | jmarick@ufl.edu