Photo Credit Front Doors Media. Pictures: Chad Faria, culinary teacher at Casteel High School, Chef Charleen Badman, Founder/Executive Director of Blue Watermelon Project and Chef and Owner of FnB, first-place winner in 2022, Maylie Mickelson and Chef Doug Robson of Otro Café and Gallo Blanco

Feeding the Future is a culinary contest that challenges students to create healthy, great-tasting meals that meet the real-life requirements of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/National School Breakfast Program (SBP) and/or Afterschool Snack Program (ASP). 

This contest was created to help students develop tasty, nutritious, and affordable school meals that can be served to Arizona school children. Participation in this context helps students and the surrounding community better understand the challenges that school food professionals face and the ever-changing conditions that impact access to good food. 

Attendees join in the fun by tasting the creative dishes of the top ten student teams presenting to guest judges throughout the event. While the judges deliberate, attendees can enjoy the beautiful outdoor scenery of the Farm at South Mountain with live music, yard games and children’s activities. 

Families are encouraged to attend.