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 Junior/Intermediates/Seniors Placings 1st, 2nd, 3rd for each age division Who moves on? 1st place for Intermediate and Senior Team
Information:
District Address Contest Date Check In Orientation Contest Begins Lead Contact Northwest District Jackson County Extension Office | 2741 Penn Ave, Marianna, FL 32448 January 4, 2025 8:30 am - 8:45 am (CT) 8:45 am (CT) 9:00 am (CT) Nicole Crawson | ncrawson@ufl.edu Northeast and Central Districts Alachua County Extension Office | 22712 W Newberry Rd, Newberry, FL 32669 January 11, 2025 9:30 am - 9:45 am 9:45 am 10:00 am Geralyn Sachs | fish12@ufl.edu Southwest & Southeast District Highlands County Extension | 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, FL 33875 January 18, 2025 9:30 am - 9:45 am 9:45 am 10:00 am John Ferguson john.ferguson@ufl.edu
Amber Norris amber.norris@ufl.edu
ALL times are EST unless indicated differently
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State Level
Key Questions Information Contest Location Florida State Fair in Tampa - Special Events Center Building Contest Date February 15, 2025 | 10:00 am Age Division Top intermediate and senior teams from each Administrative District Placings 1st, 2nd and 3rd for each age division | 1st place Senior qualifies for the National Food Challenge (OCT 2024) Check In 9:00 am - 9:45 am Orientation 9:45 am Lead Contact Geralyn Sachs | fish12@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
For more information and resources click HERE.
Contact Info
Geralyn Sachs | fish12@ufl.edu
Marie Arick | jmarick@ufl.edu