Welcome Jamie Oliver and the Food Revolution Day team. Give Food Revolution Day participants a challenge they can follow beyond one day.

People who choose to accept the Your Child’s Food One Year Challenge will receive an emailed challenge activity a week for 52 weeks. Through 13 topics covering everything from healthy eating to food science, parents learn to create a positive food culture for their children. Starting simply with eating together with the tv off, families will learn the kitchen is the heart of the house.

Each topic includes an intro challenge, a healthy eating challenge, an educational challenge, and a “reward” challenge. Please review the “Take The Challenge” page for an in-depth look at the topics and challenges.

I am designing the challenge with children 6 months through 18 years in mind, and will provide multiple age appropriate challenges where one challenge does not fit all (such as your child’s first dish/meal).

Giving a weekly challenge is not enough; parents and children need to be given the tools to succeed at the challenges. The “Setting Up For Success” page will provide tools for success on each week. This will include aids for tracking the challenge; recommendations on recipes, techniques, and products; and peer insights from those who have already taken a given challenge.

Once people have successfully passed the challenge, they will join the ranks of the Challenge Alumni. They will be given the chance to share what they learned, as well as receive the monthly alumni newsletter (sent on the 15th of each month).

Finally, the homepage will be continually updated with challenge news, updates, and helpful articles. An example article series I am currently working on revolves around pizza. It will include four articles: Multi Grain and Whole Grain Pizza Crust; Favorable Pizza Sauces; Healthy Pizza Toppings; and Make Your Own Pizza Party.

I wanted to tell you a bit more about myself and my family. My name is Claire. I was raised by an organic farmer and a fantastic cook. They gave me the gift of a love for good food, and an understanding of where food comes from. I grew up to be a successful Software Design Engineer trapped in the suburbs of Seattle. May 20th of last year (2011), my husband and I were blessed with a baby girl. As my daughter turns 1, I am looking to make sure I can give her the same gift my parents gave me, even as I get home late and have less time than ever to cook. I am challenging myself with this challenge, as well as anyone who chooses to take the challenge with me. I had decided on her first birthday to issue the challenge, but am moving it by one day to align with the Food Revolution Day and hopefully help more people embrace a healthy food culture.

I look forward to working with you and making the Food Revolution Day a success.

Thank you,
Claire