Once upon a time there was a boy name Jack.

As the story goes, he was sent to the market to sell a cow so his family can afford to buy fresh food - but he came home with magic beans instead.

We all know the story of Jack and the Beanstalk - and his magic beans - The Fairy Tale.

But here's the reality.

In the U.S., 13 million children live in food insecure homes; where 1 in 8 households struggle with food and 28 million children get most of their meals from schools, through the National School Lunch Program.

...and approximately 53% of school meals wind up in the trash - with an average waste cost of $170 billion annually.

For these children, the meals they get from schools is the only access to nutritious food they eat daily; nourishment they need to be successful in schools*.

Welcome to Food Fight.

This innovative event aims to tackle these harsh realities by bringing together chefs, students, parents, and community leaders to transform the way we think about and approach school lunches. Our mission is to ensure that every child has access to fresh, healthy meals that not only meet their nutritional needs but also excite their taste buds.

We're Boosting Real Access to Thriving communities by providing programs that give children access to #freshfood and where individuals like you are taking back #schoollunch to ensure children's most basic need is available.

At Food Fight, chefs will compete to create delicious and nutritious meals within the National School Lunch Program budget of $4.60. Our judges, 3rd to 5th graders from local schools, will taste and evaluate these dishes, making this a truly community-driven effort.

But Food Fight is more than just a competition. It’s a call to action. Funds raised through this event will support hydroTowers and cooking programs in schools and communities, providing ongoing access to fresh food and culinary education.

We believe that by working together, we can rewrite the story for millions of children across the country. No child should have to rely on magic beans or fairy tales to have access to the nutritious food they need to grow, learn, and thrive.

Join us in this journey to transform school lunches and make a real, lasting impact in the fight against food insecurity.

Welcome to Food Fight – where we turn the challenge of feeding our children into an opportunity for innovation, community, and hope.

*https://frac.org/programs/national-school-lunch-program/benefits-school-lunch

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-the-quality-of-school-lunch-affects-students-academic-performance/

Food Fight: When Chefs Battle, Children Win. 2025

By INDEPENDENCE GARDENS

Food Fight: When Chefs Battle, Children Win. 2025

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