Tuesday, September 4, 2018

2018 Texas 4-H Food Challenge Guidelines & Updates



The Texas 4-H Food Challenge contest is one of the most popular contests in the 4-H program and this year it is getting a facelift!  Changes have been made to the contest for several reasons:

  • To reflect consistency with other state and national contests.
  • To reflect comments and suggestions from agents, 4-H members, and coaches.
  • To reflect easier to use resources for our youth.
  • To reflect the need to continuously evaluate the success of our programs!

Below you will find the updated Texas 4-H Food Challenge Guide with changes reflected throughout, as well as contest resources.  Please use this guide as you begin preparation for the new 4-H year.  Below is a summary of major changes; please see the guide for additional changes, updates, or modifications which are denoted with this bullet:

Team Members:
To provide consistency with other Texas 4-H contests, as well as national contests, the number of team members for Food Challenge has changed.  Teams will have at least 3 and no more than 4 members per team. 

Contest Resources:
Contests resources have changed!  Resources which will now be used for the contest include the following:
  • MyPlate Mini-Poster
  • Fight Bac Brochure
  • Know Your Nutrients
  • Food Challenge Worksheet

The previous resource of Altering Recipes for Good Health is now considered a training resource for agents and coaches to use when preparing teams for contest.  Nutrient Needs at a Glance has been replaced with a more user friendly resource:  Know Your Nutrients.

Supply Box Changes:
Quantities and sizes of a few items have changed.  Please refer to the list for these changes.  Also, a new “Gadget of the Year” has been added!  This will change annually to give teams an opportunity to learn how to use various kitchen gadgets.

Presentation Changes:
ALL team members must now participate and have a speaking role during the presentation to the judges. 

Scorecard Changes:
Scorecards have been updated to reflect subject matter to be included in presentations AND a new numerical scoring system.  Although space is limited on the front of the scorecard for judge’s comments, agents should encourage judges to use back of sheet for commenting.

Some Clarifications to note:
  1. Presentation Guidelines - The presentation guidelines have been updated to read “All team members, or at least a majority, should participate in the presentation.”  This update is to encourage all youth to participate in the Food and Nutrition Project and Food Challenge contest, especially those who may be first year and a little hesitant to speak publicly.  This update also provides more inclusion for those who may have disability or other circumstance which may make it difficult for them to participate fully in the presentation.
  2. Rules of Play #1 Clarification – Food Challenge Committees may make the decision to provide only a set of ingredients or to provide a set of ingredients and list of ingredients with amounts.  Food Show Committees should consider the age level of the contestants. It is suggested that younger age groups receive a list with amounts.   
  3. County/District Rules - Please remind 4-H members, parents, and food challenge coaches that county and district rules may differ slightly from state rules.  They should consult these rules FIRST. 
  4. Scoresheets – We have removed the watermark from the scoresheets to make judges’ comments easier to read. 


The Texas 4-H Food and Nutrition Project continues to be one of the most popular project areas in the state.  This project is the foundation for healthy eating and reduction of chronic disease risks.  The Food Challenge Contest is just one avenue to teaching youth how to improve their health habits!  

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