Fairfield Elementary School To Participate In First Lady's Let's Move Campaign

FAIRFIELD, CT, December 22, 2010 (Press-News.org) Fairfield Nutrition Services (FNS) and Linda Soper-Kolton, chef and owner of Bridgeport's GreenGourmetToGo, an organic, vegetarian take-out restaurant, announced today they will participate in a nation-wide contest sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and First Lady Michelle Obama to create healthy and tasty new school lunches for inclusion in school menus across the country.

Working together, FNS and Ms. Soper-Kolton, a registered Let's Move Chef to School chef, will team with nutrition consultant Marilyn Ricci, FNS Director Joann Fitzpatrick, and Holland Hill Elementary cafeteria head, Debbie Steele as well as students in Holland Hill's 4th and 5th grades to create a healthy recipe in two of the contest's three categories: Whole Grains, Dark Green and Orange Vegetables, or Dry Beans and Peas. The team decided to create recipes for quinoa and kale crustless quiche, and butternut squash and three-bean chili. Both recipes had to be scaled to serve over 200 students. The 4th and 5th graders voted on which recipe will be served in the hot lunch program.

"Results are in!," said Ms. Soper, "The students chose quinoa and kale quiche by an overwhelming majority. It was fun to hear the kids explain to each other what 'quinoa' was. Now we'll work with the school cafeteria staff to procure ingredients, learn the recipe and prepare it for December 22 as a way to have a fun and educational send off for the holiday break."

For the Let's Move Campaign contest, fifteen semi-finalist teams will have their recipe evaluated by a team of judges at the winning schools. The top remaining three teams will then compete in a national cook-off to determine a grand prizewinner.

Michelle McCabe, chairwoman of Fairfield's Fuel for Learning Partnership, a PTA Council standing committee, said, "It's very exciting to see a partnership happening between the Fairfield Nutrition Services, the schools, parents, and students. I look forward to future occasions when we can work together to provide our students with delicious, nutritious foods to support their academic day and health."

The FFLP, recipient of a 2010 Adults & Children Together grant awarded by Fairfield's Prevention Council, encourages Fairfield County parents, students, teachers, food service staff, and Board of Education members to jointly pursue the common goal of serving safe, high quality, nutritional meals to the students of Fairfield. FFLP seeks to affect positive change in how we eat by coming together as a community to broadly educate and change eating habits through the endorsement of sustainable eating practices.

About GreenGourmetToGo
GreenGourmetToGo was founded by Linda Soper-Kolton, a graduate of New York City's Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts and Fairfield resident, who decided that the best way to inspire change was to lead by example. GreenGourmetToGo makes creative innovative, health-supportive food that can be enjoy guilt-free and on-the-go. Committed to using the highest quality, local and organic ingredients possible, GreenGourmetToGo meals are made to make you feel good inside and out. Meals are prepared "to go" so they can be enjoyed on-the-run, at work or at home after a busy day. In addition, the business strives to use supplies and packaging sourced from "green" companies that use recycled materials or materials that are biodegradable or compostable. GreenGourmetToGo is located at 2984 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT, and can be reached by calling 203-873-0057 or emailing linda@greengourmetto.com. For additional information on GreenGourmetToGo please visit the website at GreenGourmetToGo.com.

Contact:
Linda Soper-Kolton
GreenGourmetToGo
Telephone: 203-615-8139
Email: Linda@GreenGourmetToGo.com
Web: GreenGourmetToGo.com

Media Contact:
John Lovallo
Lovallo Communications Group
Telephone: 203-526-6371
Email: john.lovallo@lovallocommunications.com