Fun competition teaches BGCMA kids the importance of eating right, staying active
ATLANTA – Dozens of kids and teens put their culinary skills to the test at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s (BGCMA) Salsa, Salsa event on July 11. Hosted at Greystone Hall in Piedmont Park, the competition was tough, but in the end, expert judges crowned Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club the top winner for its salsa dish “Roasted Tomato Salsa.” As part of the prize package, this winning salsa will be featured at a local Willy’s restaurant this summer. Brookhaven also won the “People’s Choice” award this year.
TO TRY YOUR HAND AT ALL THE WINNING RECIPES CHECK OUT THE DIGITAL COOKBOOK HERE.
Salsa, Salsa, an annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta event, celebrates eating right and staying active and highlights cooking and gardening programs at Clubs across the city. Seventeen Boys & Girls Clubs participated in this year’s event, competing to create the best salsa in the city and learning dance steps from a professional salsa dancer. (PHOTOS: Salsa, Salsa 2017)
Boys & Girls Club staff and partners launched the event several years ago to address the obesity epidemic among youth in our state. In fact, Georgia reports the third highest prevalence of overweight children in the country.
“Many kids, particularly from low-income neighborhoods, do not have access to healthy food and safe places to play,” said Rodney Taylor, Healthy Lifestyles Director at Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club. “Programs like this teach our kids that eating right and staying active can be fun. They help kids build healthy habits now we hope will stay with them for a lifetime.”
In preparation for the event, staff and kids at Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club planted and maintained an expansive garden including tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, peppers, and onions. They also participated in Club sessions to learn about nutrition and how to incorporate fresh ingredients into their diet.
“We’re so proud of all of our young chefs who came out to compete this year,” said Missy Dugan, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. “And a huge thank you to all of the partners that made this happen including Willy’s Mexicana Grill and all of our expert judges.”
For more information about Salsa, Salsa and ways to support programs that shape healthy lifestyles, visit https://bgcma.orgour-impact/health/ and/or www.facebook.com/bgcma .
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s mission is to save and change the lives of children and teens, especially those who need us most, by providing a safe, positive and engaging environment and programs that prepare and inspire them to achieve Great Futures. Through 25 Clubs in 10 metro counties, trained and professional staff serve more than 3,300 youth (ages 6-18) daily through programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership development. BGCMA also oversees Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. While the cost to effectively serve those who need us most is approximately $5,700 per member, families are asked to pay between $60 and $135 per child each year based on income; and no child is turned away due to inability to pay. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org .