<p><strong>WASHINGTON, DC</strong> – The MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge winners have been named. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the winners of the challenge where numerous contestants demonstrated creative methods in order to "make half your plate fruits and vegetables" using skits, songs, and rhythm. Contestants submitted videos to the USDA offering unique ways to inspire produce lovers of all ages to live and eat healthier at any budget.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Each honored video features one easy to apply tip and guides viewers to visit ChooseMyPlate.gov. USDA congratulates the schools, families, communities and teams who created the 1st, 2nd, and Popular Choice winning videos. Three categories were offered up for inspiration: Tips for Kids; Tips When Eating at Home; and Tips When Eating Away from Home. The awards boasted $9,000 in prize money to 1st, 2nd, and Popular Vote winners. The challenge received 142 submissions. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The awards winners were listed in the press release, as follows:</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“Tips for Kids”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>1st Place: On the Go Snack Boxes – You can always have a healthy option by creating these easy to make snack boxes to put in your backpack. A busy student shares how she and her mom wash and cut up a variety of fruits and veggies and store them in individual snack boxes. A great tip for older kids on the go!<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">2nd Place: Let's Get Involved - A fun way to get your children excited about fruits and vegetables is to get them involved in the shopping process. Encourage healthy eating habits by letting children select the fruits and vegetables they eat. Let your kids choose!<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Popular Choice: The Fruit and Veggie Pokey! – These students have a message for you! Listen as these students share their tips for eating more fruits and vegetables while they dance to the "Hokey, Pokey Song."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“Tips When Eating at Home”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>1st Place: Wrap Rap – A delicious and nutritious wrap is a great way to get more fruits and vegetables. A rapper provides us with an easy to remember "wrap" song to encourage us to make half our plates fruits and vegetables.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">2nd Place: Eating fruits and veggies without straining your budget – Seasonal, local and grow-your-own options are all good ways to make half of your plate fruits and veggies. Watch this young student as he provides some creative ways to stretch your dollar.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Popular Choice: My Tip: "Think Vegetables First" - Planning a meal for your family? Mom shares how she changed the meals for her family. Think vegetables first when planning a meal and add the rest of the foods to complement the vegetables.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“Tips When Eating Away From Home”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>1st Place: Substitution and Replace...A story of Give and Take - A mom discovers her sons have been hiding junk food and avoiding more nutritional fruits and veggies. Through substitution and replacement her sons discover a healthier way to eat.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">2nd Place: Pack Your Lunch Bag with Fruits and Veggies! - Here are some tips for workers/students on the go who wants to make sure they fill half their plate (or lunch bag) with fruits and veggies! It saves tons of money and calories!</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Popular Choice: Richmond Avenue Café – Kids can make "make half your plate fruits and vegetables" when they eat out, too! A young student applies what he learned in health class at the Richmond Avenue School about healthy eating. Amazing results happen when you eat healthy!</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.fruitsandveggies.challenge.gov</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
