About
Real Food for Kids offers the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge, where students can compete in Lunch or Showcase categories. It also offers Chefs Feeding Families, which provides nourishing grab-and-go meals and chef-inspired meal kits to school children and their families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program also includes Food Day, an annual event with activities, lessons, and trying new foods, and SNAP Ambassadors, which provides free virtual trainings on how to apply for SNAP in Virginia and outreach materials for communities.
Programs
- Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge — Students can compete in Lunch or Showcase categories; it is open to middle and high school students.
- Chefs Feeding Families — Provides nourishing grab-and-go meals and chef-inspired meal kits to school children and their families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Food Day — Annual event with activities, lessons, and trying new foods to promote healthy eating and physical fitness.
- SNAP Ambassadors — Free, virtual trainings on how to apply for SNAP in Virginia and outreach materials for communities.
At a glance
- Ages: 5–18 years old
- Current session: 15th Annual Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge (Feb 27–Feb 27, 2027)
About the provider
Real Food for Kids advocates for increased access to healthy food and nutrition education in schools. Since 2011, its annual Food Day event has raised students’ awareness of healthy eating and physical fitness, and since 2012, the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge has been held. The program partners with researchers from George Mason University to survey kids’ attitudes toward healthy eating before and after Food Day.
What families say
“The new food bar named the Statesmen Station was a significant paradigm shift. Not only was it a change in food offerings, but it was also a shift in how our food is presented and served to students.” — Jay Pearson Executive Principal, Region 2, Fairfax County Public Schools
“The key to the success of RFFK has been their collaborative nature and ability to bring new voices—from parents and students to world-renowned food experts and chefs—to the policymaking table.” — Ryan McElveen Fairfax County School Board Member At-Large
Last updated November 6, 2026.
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