COLUMBIA, Mo. – Four teens from Warren County represented Missouri 4-H in the Mid-South 4-H Food Pantry Competition at the 73rd annual Mid-South Farm & Gin Show in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday, March 1.

The competition challenged 4-H competitors to apply their knowledge to create a healthy meal using common food pantry ingredients along with a surprise mystery ingredient, said Bethany Rippy, University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth health and well-being educator.

The Missouri team made jumeokbop (Korean rice balls) and a sweet dish inspired by mango sticky rice using canned fruit, Rippy said. The mystery ingredient was diced tomatoes.

Teams had 45 minutes to prepare their dishes in front of a live audience before presenting them to a panel of judges, who evaluated dishes based on presentation, taste, nutritional knowledge and food safety.

The Missouri team – Colby Anderson, Isaac Anderson, Lydia Anderson and Julia Gierer – competed against 14 teams from across the Mid-South, including teams from Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.

“Our team worked very well together and remained confident throughout the competition,” Rippy said. “They are already looking forward to next year and discussing ways to build on their first experience.”

For more information about Missouri 4-H programs and opportunities, visit http://4h.missouri.edu or contact your local MU Extension center.

Missouri 4-H’s participation in this event was made possible with support from the Missouri 4-H Foundation.

About Missouri 4-H

Missouri 4-H grows today’s youth and prepares tomorrow’s leaders. With a blend of time-tested traditions and innovative hands-on learning, Missouri youth explore and find their spark in programs ranging from agriculture and conservation to aerospace and career development. Through clubs, programs, camps, in-school and after-school experiences, University of Missouri Extension faculty, staff and thousands of volunteers guide youth in developing essential skills, building confidence and fostering connections. Together, they inspire young people to make a real difference in their communities, their country and the world. To learn more about Missouri 4-H, visit 4h.missouri.edu.

Photo

https://extension.missouri.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_media/wysiwyg/News/photos/20250304-food-pantry-4H.jpg
From left, Julia Gierer, Colby Anderson, Isaac Anderson and Lydia Anderson.