Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul Student Workshop

April 09, 2013 | 01:08:10 | Public Domain

First Lady Michelle Obama hosts 120 middle and high school students from across the country for an interactive workshop event featuring a discussion about the origins and history of Memphis Soul, and a question and answer session with Ben Harper, Charlie Musselwhite, Mavis Staples, Sam Moore and Justin Timberlake.

Download mp4 (2580MB) | mp3 (164MB)

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Remarks by the First Lady at the Memphis Soul Workshop

State Dining Room

10:58 A.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, watching you all’s faces -- priceless.  Priceless.  (Laughter.)  See, you never know what’s going to happen at the White House.  Okay, let’s breathe.  Come on.  (Laughter.)  Everyone, let’s breathe, even the moms.  (Laughter.) 

While everybody is getting settled, I just want to welcome you to the White House.  Hi, how are you?  (Applause.)  Good afternoon. 

So let me just say, the White House is buzzing with excitement today as we celebrate the rhythmic groove of Memphis soul.  Thank you, Daniel.  He’s taking care of my hometown girl, Mavis Staples.  We are just so thrilled so have you.

I want to start by thanking our wonderful guest for taking the time -- because we ask a lot from people when they come and perform.  I was just joking it slowly turns into an all-day affair.  But the degree to which everyone so graciously offers their time on a day like this, it just warms my heart, and we are just so grateful.

Let me introduce everyone on the stage for those of you who don’t know.  We have Bob Santelli from the Grammy Museum, who has been here a number of times with me.  (Applause.)  And of course these five incredible musicians:  Sam Moore.  (Applause.)  Mavis Staples.  (Applause.)  And I don’t know if you guys recognize this young gentleman in the middle -- Justin Timberlake.  (Applause.)  Charlie Musselwhite.  (Applause.)  And Ben Harper.  (Applause.)

Thank you all so much.  It is a true honor to have you all here in the State Room of the White House.  But in addition to these icons and legends, we are also thrilled to have with us today some other stars -- all of our young people, you all are our stars.  (Applause.)  Yes. 

We have students here from all over the country -- some folks from California, New York, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, right here in D.C., and the hometown crowd from Stax Music Academy in Memphis, Tennessee.  (Applause.)  Yes!  Memphis is in the house! 

Now, over the past few years we’ve hosted workshops like these to give young people like all of you the opportunity to learn and explore everything from country and classical music to modern dance and poetry.  Just last week we hosted a group of young people here for the screening of the movie “42,” which is a story of Jackie Robinson’s life.  And afterward, the students had a chance to talk about the film with the director, the lead actors, as well as to hear directly from Mrs. Rachel Robinson, who’s the wife of Jackie Robinson.

So we have hosted many great conversations in this room.  This is also where we host state dinners, and diplomats and world leaders are here.  And you all are here, too -- right here.  So we are thrilled to have you all here today as we continue this tradition and turn our attention to Memphis soul. 

Memphis, Tennessee is the birthplace of both Elvis Presley’s rock and roll and B.B. King’s blues.  And while you can hear both of those influences in Memphis soul, this music has a style and a story uniquely its own. 

Back in 1957, a young man started a record label out of his garage.  The next year, his sister took out a second mortgage on her house to help him buy some new recording equipment.  And just a few years later, their company, Stax Records, was churning out nationwide hits.  And soon enough, Memphis had a few more record labels and its own brand of soul, thanks to performers like Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, and of course, somebody my husband thinks he sounds like -- (laughter) -- the Reverend Al Green.  Let’s just tell him he does, okay?  (Laughter.)  Since he is the President, we like to boost him up a little bit.

But today, that music is still alive.  Ben and Charlie and teamed up on a new album from Stax that came out earlier this year.  But the best way to understand this music is to hear it and feel it.  So in a little bit, I’m going to turn it over to Bob and you’re going to have a chance to hear some stories and songs from these folks up here on stage who have so graciously given their time.

But, look, as you listen, I want you all to keep one thing in mind -- and I try to say this to every young person that I encounter that walks through those doors -- but realize that none of these folks up here arrived here on the basis of talent alone.  They’re here because they’ve been working hard to perfect their craft since they were at least your age and many of them even younger. 

Ben Harper first picked up a guitar at age six.  Mavis Staples and Sam Moore have both been performing since they were kids singing gospel music in church.  When Charlie Musselwhite was getting started, he had to fit in his gigs between shifts at his factory job.  And when Justin first started touring, he would immediately go to the bus to watch a tape of his performance, taking notes so that the next night he would be even better.

So for decades, these folks have been practicing until their fingers were numb and their voices were shot.  They’ve been in the studio for 12, 14 hours a day or more rehearsing and refining until they got every song just right.  And I know that most of you here are also involved in music as well, which means I know you spend a lot of time memorizing scales and learning theory.  And sometimes that aspect of music isn’t always that much fun. 

But I want to emphasize, and I think these people up here will back me up, that the only way for you to become the best musician you can be is pushing through those moments when something doesn’t seem fun -- by spending hours in the practice room, repeating those scales, and drilling into that theory.  And if you do all that, you do it over and over again, you might become a better performer than you ever imagined.

And even if you don’t go into music as a career, the skills you learn through music can stay with you your whole life.  And that was certainly true for me.  When I was young, I played the piano.  Now, as I try to remind my kids, I regret the fact that I didn’t keep it up.  I try to tell them that every single day. 

But I still remember the hours that it would take to learn just one section of a song.  The discipline, the patience, the diligence I learned through the study of music -- those are all skills that I apply every single day in my life.  I applied them as a student, as a lawyer, as a First Lady, and definitely as a mother.  So every moment of every day, you have the chance to commit yourselves to your craft.  And stick with it especially when those times -- it gets a little hard.  Just stick with it.

And also, you guys know that you have to educate yourselves.  That is first and foremost.  Learn from everyone you can.  Learn from everyone you can and take advantage of every opportunity that you find.  And right now, you’ve got an amazing opportunity to learn from some of the greatest musicians our country has to offer.  So I want you to relax, loosen up, be comfortable.  Ask a lot of questions.  Don't be shy.

The cameras will leave.  The lights will turn down a little bit, so I want you to take full advantage of being here.  Find out what it took for them to be who they are.  Find out what it takes for them to maintain who they are. 

But I want you all to remember that nothing happens without hard work, and I want you all to recommit yourselves to the work that you're going to do in your lives because we need you all to be the next generation of leaders in whatever you do.  And we have complete faith that you all will.

So it is an honor and a privilege for me to be here with you.  And with that, I’m going to turn it over to Bob so you all can get this party started.  (Laughter.)  Thank you all so much.  Have fun.  (Applause.)

END
11:09 A.M. EDT 

Close Transcript

First Lady Michelle Obama Hosts a Student Workshop Celebrating "Memphis Soul"

Colleen Curtis
Colleen Curtis
April 09, 2013
04:32 PM EST
Ed note: You can watch a livestream of "In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul" on whitehouse.gov/live tonight at 6:55 pm ET.
 
First Lady Michelle Obama Hosts Memphis Soul Student Workshop, April 9, 2013

First Lady Michelle Obama hosts an interactive student workshop event: “Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul,” in the State Dining Room of the White House, April 9, 2013. Joining the First Lady on stage, from left, are: Sam Moore, Mavis Staples, Justin Timberlake, Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

As First Lady Michelle Obama noted earlier today, "You never know what's going to happen at the White House!"

Mrs. Obama was talking to a group of students who had come from California, Tennessee, New York, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C to participate in an interactive workshop called “Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul.” And while her guests were excited to be in the State Dining Room for the event, the presence of Justin Timberlake on the panel increased their enthusiasm. 

Timberlake, Sam Moore, Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper are all participating in the "In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul" event later tonight, and the First Lady invited them to join the students for a conversation about this truly American art form, and the hard work involved in being a successful musician or artist. 

Related Topics: Inside the White House, California, Florida, Maryland, New York, New York, Tennessee, Virginia

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
April 09, 2013

Remarks by the First Lady at the Memphis Soul Workshop

State Dining Room

10:58 A.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, watching you all’s faces -- priceless.  Priceless.  (Laughter.)  See, you never know what’s going to happen at the White House.  Okay, let’s breathe.  Come on.  (Laughter.)  Everyone, let’s breathe, even the moms.  (Laughter.) 

While everybody is getting settled, I just want to welcome you to the White House.  Hi, how are you?  (Applause.)  Good afternoon. 

So let me just say, the White House is buzzing with excitement today as we celebrate the rhythmic groove of Memphis soul.  Thank you, Daniel.  He’s taking care of my hometown girl, Mavis Staples.  We are just so thrilled so have you.

I want to start by thanking our wonderful guest for taking the time -- because we ask a lot from people when they come and perform.  I was just joking it slowly turns into an all-day affair.  But the degree to which everyone so graciously offers their time on a day like this, it just warms my heart, and we are just so grateful.

Let me introduce everyone on the stage for those of you who don’t know.  We have Bob Santelli from the Grammy Museum, who has been here a number of times with me.  (Applause.)  And of course these five incredible musicians:  Sam Moore.  (Applause.)  Mavis Staples.  (Applause.)  And I don’t know if you guys recognize this young gentleman in the middle -- Justin Timberlake.  (Applause.)  Charlie Musselwhite.  (Applause.)  And Ben Harper.  (Applause.)

Thank you all so much.  It is a true honor to have you all here in the State Room of the White House.  But in addition to these icons and legends, we are also thrilled to have with us today some other stars -- all of our young people, you all are our stars.  (Applause.)  Yes. 

We have students here from all over the country -- some folks from California, New York, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, right here in D.C., and the hometown crowd from Stax Music Academy in Memphis, Tennessee.  (Applause.)  Yes!  Memphis is in the house! 

Now, over the past few years we’ve hosted workshops like these to give young people like all of you the opportunity to learn and explore everything from country and classical music to modern dance and poetry.  Just last week we hosted a group of young people here for the screening of the movie “42,” which is a story of Jackie Robinson’s life.  And afterward, the students had a chance to talk about the film with the director, the lead actors, as well as to hear directly from Mrs. Rachel Robinson, who’s the wife of Jackie Robinson.

So we have hosted many great conversations in this room.  This is also where we host state dinners, and diplomats and world leaders are here.  And you all are here, too -- right here.  So we are thrilled to have you all here today as we continue this tradition and turn our attention to Memphis soul. 

Memphis, Tennessee is the birthplace of both Elvis Presley’s rock and roll and B.B. King’s blues.  And while you can hear both of those influences in Memphis soul, this music has a style and a story uniquely its own. 

Back in 1957, a young man started a record label out of his garage.  The next year, his sister took out a second mortgage on her house to help him buy some new recording equipment.  And just a few years later, their company, Stax Records, was churning out nationwide hits.  And soon enough, Memphis had a few more record labels and its own brand of soul, thanks to performers like Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, and of course, somebody my husband thinks he sounds like -- (laughter) -- the Reverend Al Green.  Let’s just tell him he does, okay?  (Laughter.)  Since he is the President, we like to boost him up a little bit.

But today, that music is still alive.  Ben and Charlie and teamed up on a new album from Stax that came out earlier this year.  But the best way to understand this music is to hear it and feel it.  So in a little bit, I’m going to turn it over to Bob and you’re going to have a chance to hear some stories and songs from these folks up here on stage who have so graciously given their time.

But, look, as you listen, I want you all to keep one thing in mind -- and I try to say this to every young person that I encounter that walks through those doors -- but realize that none of these folks up here arrived here on the basis of talent alone.  They’re here because they’ve been working hard to perfect their craft since they were at least your age and many of them even younger. 

Ben Harper first picked up a guitar at age six.  Mavis Staples and Sam Moore have both been performing since they were kids singing gospel music in church.  When Charlie Musselwhite was getting started, he had to fit in his gigs between shifts at his factory job.  And when Justin first started touring, he would immediately go to the bus to watch a tape of his performance, taking notes so that the next night he would be even better.

So for decades, these folks have been practicing until their fingers were numb and their voices were shot.  They’ve been in the studio for 12, 14 hours a day or more rehearsing and refining until they got every song just right.  And I know that most of you here are also involved in music as well, which means I know you spend a lot of time memorizing scales and learning theory.  And sometimes that aspect of music isn’t always that much fun. 

But I want to emphasize, and I think these people up here will back me up, that the only way for you to become the best musician you can be is pushing through those moments when something doesn’t seem fun -- by spending hours in the practice room, repeating those scales, and drilling into that theory.  And if you do all that, you do it over and over again, you might become a better performer than you ever imagined.

And even if you don’t go into music as a career, the skills you learn through music can stay with you your whole life.  And that was certainly true for me.  When I was young, I played the piano.  Now, as I try to remind my kids, I regret the fact that I didn’t keep it up.  I try to tell them that every single day. 

But I still remember the hours that it would take to learn just one section of a song.  The discipline, the patience, the diligence I learned through the study of music -- those are all skills that I apply every single day in my life.  I applied them as a student, as a lawyer, as a First Lady, and definitely as a mother.  So every moment of every day, you have the chance to commit yourselves to your craft.  And stick with it especially when those times -- it gets a little hard.  Just stick with it.

And also, you guys know that you have to educate yourselves.  That is first and foremost.  Learn from everyone you can.  Learn from everyone you can and take advantage of every opportunity that you find.  And right now, you’ve got an amazing opportunity to learn from some of the greatest musicians our country has to offer.  So I want you to relax, loosen up, be comfortable.  Ask a lot of questions.  Don't be shy.

The cameras will leave.  The lights will turn down a little bit, so I want you to take full advantage of being here.  Find out what it took for them to be who they are.  Find out what it takes for them to maintain who they are. 

But I want you all to remember that nothing happens without hard work, and I want you all to recommit yourselves to the work that you're going to do in your lives because we need you all to be the next generation of leaders in whatever you do.  And we have complete faith that you all will.

So it is an honor and a privilege for me to be here with you.  And with that, I’m going to turn it over to Bob so you all can get this party started.  (Laughter.)  Thank you all so much.  Have fun.  (Applause.)

END
11:09 A.M. EDT 

West Wing Week: 04/05/13 or “The Scientist-in-Chief”

Adam Garber
Adam Garber
April 04, 2013
07:54 PM EST

This week, the President spoke on the importance of investing in infrastructure at Port Miami, and on reducing gun violence while at the Denver Police Academy. He hosted the Prime Minister of Singapore and Kid President, unveiled the BRAIN initiative, and rolled, read, and relaxed with some of the thousands of visitors to the 135th annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

Related Topics: Inside the White House

West Wing Week: 04/05/13 or “The Scientist-in-Chief”

April 04, 2013 | 5:54 | Public Domain

This week, the President spoke on the importance of investing in infrastructure at Port Miami, and on reducing gun violence while at the Denver Police Academy. He hosted the Prime Minister of Singapore and Kid President, unveiled the BRAIN initiative, and rolled, read, and relaxed with some of the thousands of visitors to the 135th annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

Download mp4 (202.2MB)

Students Join First Lady Michelle Obama to Plant the White House Kitchen Garden

Colleen Curtis
Colleen Curtis
April 04, 2013
04:15 PM EST

Ed. Note: This is a cross post from LetsMove.gov. You can find the original post here.

First Lady Michelle Obama invited students from across the country to join her today on the South Lawn for what has become a favorite tradition: planting the White House Kitchen Garden. For the fifth year in a row, Mrs. Obama and Let's Move Executive Director Sam Kass got their hands dirty as they planted the vegetables that will be harvested this summer and enjoyed by the First Family and White House guests, and donated to local charities. 

This year, the First Lady was joined by students from schools that have made exceptional improvements to their school lunches through the implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. At the Benjamin David Gullett Elementary School in Bradenton, Florida teachers use gardening as a learning opportunity for students, and the school’s food and nutrition program teaches students about planting, growing, and tasting vegetables to give them a better understanding of nutritious food.

Related Topics: Healthy Kids, Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
April 04, 2013

Remarks by the First Lady at Kitchen Garden Planting Event

White House Kitchen Garden 

1:16 P.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA:  How are you guys doing?

CHILDREN:  Good.

MRS. OBAMA:  Is it a little chilly?

CHILDREN:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Where are your jackets?  I'm going to be the mother.  Where are your jackets?  (Laughter.)  All right, so we're going to put you to work. 

Well, welcome.  This is the fifth planting of the White House Kitchen Garden.  Are you guys excited?

CHILDREN:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  So that we know who is here, I want to make sure that all these wonderful people with their cameras know which schools are here.  So when I say your school name, raise your hand, or scream or something like that. 

Milton Elementary School from Milton, Vermont.  Woo-hoo!  Yes, is that the principal?  It's like woo-hoo, party on.  Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy in Knox County, Tennessee.  Woo-hoo!  (Applause.)  Arthur D. Healey School, Somerville Public Schools in Somerville, Massachusetts.  Woo-hoo!  (Applause.)  Benjamin David Gullett Elementary School in Bradenton, Florida.  (Applause.)  Yes, that was it.  That was it.  I know you all are cold, coming from Florida.  And then we have our partners from many, many, many years -- Bancroft Elementary School.  (Applause.)  There we go.  See, they're comfortable yelling in the White House.  (Laughter.)  And then we have the Harriet Tubman Elementary School students.  (Applause.)

So it's great to have you guys here.  Are you ready to go?  One of the reasons we invited these schools -- Harriet Tubman School and Bancroft, they have been our partners for years.  But the schools from across the country who have come, you guys are here because you are doing such wonderful things to implement the new school nutrition standards at your school.  So do you like your school lunches?  They are healthy and they are good?  And you're eating your vegetables?  And many of you have gardens of your own?  Awesome.  So you know what to do here, right?  Are you ready to plant?

All right, let's get going.  Let's do it! 

END
1:18 P.M. EDT

White House Kitchen Garden Planting Spring 2013

April 04, 2013 | 4:31 | Public Domain

First Lady Michelle Obama joins school children from across the country to plant the White House Kitchen Garden for the fifth year in a row. This year, Mrs. Obama invited children from schools that have made exceptional improvements to school lunches through implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, in addition to Harriet Tubman and Bancroft Elementary Schools in Washington, DC which have been active participants in the White House Kitchen Garden.

Download mp4 (163MB) | mp3 (11MB)

Hey Kids, Let's Get Cooking!

Colleen Curtis
Colleen Curtis
April 03, 2013
10:21 AM EST

Ed. Note: This is a cross post from LetsMove.gov. You can find the original post here.

First Lady Michelle Obama is once again challenging America’s most creative junior chefs to put their talents to good use and whip up some delicious lunchtime recipes.

Epicurious Kids’ State Dinner Place Setting

A booklet of the winning lunch recipes is provided with the place setting at the Kids’ State Dinner in the East Room of the White House, Aug. 20, 2012. First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the luncheon for 54 children from all over the United States who were asked to create an original lunch recipe that was healthy and affordable. (Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert)

Let's Move! is thrilled to announce the Second Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ State Dinner, a nationwide recipe challenge that originated to promote healthy eating among America’s youth, sponsored by The White House, the U.S. Department of Education, and Epicurious.

“Last year’s Kids' State Dinner was one of my favorite events we’ve ever done for Let’s Move! because it perfectly captured how young people, parents, community leaders and businesses can come together for innovative, healthy solutions,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “Last year’s young chefs impressed and inspired me with their creativity, and I can’t wait to welcome a whole new group to the White House this summer and taste their creations. So kids, let’s get cooking!”

The second Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids' “State Dinner” invites parents or guardians and their kids, ages 8-12, to create and submit an original lunch recipe that is healthy, affordable, and tasty. Each recipe must adhere to the guidance that supports USDA’s MyPlate to ensure that the criteria of a healthy meal are met. Entries must represent each of the food groups, either in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy foods, with fruits and veggies making up roughly half the plate or recipe.

Fifty-six children and their parent/guardian (one pair from each of the 50 states, plus the U.S. Territories, D.C., and Puerto Rico) will be flown to Washington, DC where they will have the opportunity to attend a Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House this summer, hosted by Mrs. Obama. A selection of the winning healthy recipes will be served.

President Barack Obama Drops by the Epicurious Kids’ State Dinner

President Barack Obama drops by the Kids’ State Dinner in the East Room of the White House, Aug. 20, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Recipes can be submitted April 3 through May 12 online at recipechallenge.epicurious.com, or via mail at “The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge c/o Epicurious.com,” 1166 Avenue of the Americas, 15thFloor, New York, NY 10036.

Learn more:

Related Topics: Healthy Kids, Inside the White House, New York, New York

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
April 03, 2013

First Lady Michelle Obama and Epicurious Host Second Recipe Challenge

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA AND EPICURIOUS HOST
SECOND RECIPE CHALLENGE
TO PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING NATIONWIDE

“The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge” Welcomes Children and Their Parents to Create 
Healthy Lunch Recipes for an Invite to a Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House

 

New York, NY (April 3, 2013) – With the overwhelming success of the inaugural Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids' “State Dinner” in 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama is again teaming up with Epicurious, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Department of Agriculture to host a nationwide recipe challenge to promote healthy eating among America’s youth.

“Last year’s Kids State dinner was one of my favorite events we’ve ever done for Let’s Move! because it perfectly captured how young people, parents, community leaders and businesses can come together for innovative, healthy solutions,” said First Lady Michelle Obama.  “Last year’s young chefs impressed and inspired me with their creativity, and I can’t wait to welcome a whole new group to the White House this summer and taste their creations.  So kids, let’s get cooking!”

The second Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids' “State Dinner” invites parents or guardians and their children, ages 8-12, to create and submit an original lunch recipe that is healthy, affordable, and tasty.  In support of Let’s Move!, launched by the First Lady to solve the issue of childhood obesity, each recipe must adhere to the guidance that supports USDA’s MyPlate (at ChooseMyPlate.gov) to ensure that the criteria of a healthy meal are met.  Entries must represent each of the food groups, either in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy foods, with fruits and veggies making up roughly half the plate or recipe.

All U.S. states and territories, including Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands, are invited to participate. Fifty-six children and their parent/guardian (one pair from each of the 50 states, plus the U.S. Territories, D.C., and Puerto Rico) will be flown to the nation’s capital where they will have the opportunity to attend a Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House this summer, hosted by Mrs. Obama.  A selection of the winning healthy recipes will be served.  

“In order to promote a healthier next generation of Americans, we need to encourage kids to make healthier choices now – which they can carry into adulthood,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.  “USDA is thrilled to be part of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge again this year because it inspires kids to use USDA’s MyPlate to take a hands-on approach to building healthier meal times.”

“We know healthy kids are healthy students, and healthy students are better able to engage in the classroom and excel academically,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “If we can get our children to eat healthier and exercise more, that’s a recipe for success. Kids are the best judges of what looks and tastes good, so we’re challenging them to create lunches that all their peers will enjoy.”

“We are thrilled to once again partner with Mrs. Obama, and to champion her Let’s Move! initiative, in an effort to raise awareness for the importance of healthy eating among kids,” said Tanya Steel, editor-in-chief of Epicurious.  "Through ‘The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge,’ we will, for the second year, create a call to action for kids, highlighting the importance of healthy meals. This initiative will continue to make a positive impact on the way our children eat, and will reinforce that meals, especially school lunches, can be delicious and nutritious.”

The winning recipes will be chosen by a panel of judges, including Tanya Steel, Let’s Move! Executive Director Sam Kass, USDA and U.S. Department of Education representatives, as well as a celebrity chef, to be named.  At the conclusion of the Challenge, a free, downloadable and printable e-cookbook featuring the winning recipes, nutritional analysis, photos and drawings, will be available via LetsMove.gov, USDA.gov, Ed.gov and recipechallenge.epicurious.com.

The White House Kids’ “State Dinner” is currently scheduled to take place in July or August 2013.

Recipes can be submitted April 3 through May 12, online at recipechallenge.epicurious.com, or via mail at “The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge c/o Epicurious.com,” 1166 Avenue of the Americas, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Winners will be notified at the end of June. For more information and contest rules visit recipechallenge.epicurious.com.