It might still be winter in Vermont, but for 49 4-H club members, it felt more like summer when they took part in the 2025 Addison County 4-H Foods Day. That’s because the theme for the event was Picnic!

4-H’ers from several counties participated in the fun-filled day, which was held on February 22 at the Middlebury Union Middle School in Middlebury. Most brought a dish and place setting to be evaluated although 4-H’ers were welcome to participate in the Foods Day labs and buffet lunch without entering the culinary competition.

Susan Bodette, a retired nutrition educator for the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, presented a nutrition lab on sensory tasting. Staff from the Better Together Dance Company taught several types of dances as part of the exercise lab.

In the food lab, each age group prepared a different picnic-themed dish for lunch, honing their food preparation skills and learning about food safety. Kindergarten through fourth grade students made fruit kabobs. The fifth through seventh graders made vegetable trays and dips and eighth grade and older prepared fried chicken in three different ways, air-fried, baked and pan-fried. The buffet lunch also included dishes made in advance for the competition.

The top ten placements in each age group in the culinary competition received rosette ribbons with the top three each receiving a prize. Each first-place winner received a 4-H insulated tumbler. The second-place winners were awarded a 4-H apron with third place getting a 4-H oven mitt. The Addison County 4-H Foundation sponsored the rosette ribbons, prizes, giveaways and facilities.

Volunteers evaluated the dishes while the youth participated in workshops. All participants were presented a 4-H cookie cutter during the awards ceremony.

The results were as follows:

  • Grades K-2 (appetizers): Harper Raymond, Charlotte (first); Evelyn Benoit, Shoreham (second); Eddie Gordon, Bristol (third); Ellen Hodgdon, Bridport (fourth); Ellis Chittenden, Whiting (fifth); Billie Bowdish, Weybridge (sixth).
  • Grades 3-4 (fruit cobbler): Lucy Bartholomew, Benson (first); Huxton Joyal, Williston (second); Corbin Kerr, Shoreham (third); Case Pope, Shoreham (fourth); Claira Lucas, Orwell (fifth); Amelia Tudhope, Orwell (sixth); Hannah Stocker, Bridport (seventh); Emilee Gordon, Bristol (eighth); Addie Farr, Richmond (ninth)
  • Grades 5-7 (salad): Robert Whipple, Bridport (first); Emma Lucas, Orwell (second); Tom Allen, Vergennes (third); Sophia Stocker, Bridport (fourth); Tenley Chittenden, Whiting (fifth); Olivia Tudhope, Orwell (sixth); Autumn Thresher, Salisbury (seventh); Annie Farr, Richmond, and Sutton Chittenden, Whiting (tie for eighth); Ansley Montgomery, Addison (ninth); Olivia Gordon, Bristol (tenth); Ella Pope, Shoreham (eleventh)
  • Grade 8 and up (entrée): Hailey Chase, Bristol (first); Erin Whipple, Bridport (second); Alexis Whipple, Bridport (third); Payton Lucas, Orwell (fourth); Makayla Warner, Middlebury (fifth); Mackenzie Chase, Bristol (sixth); Bella Sears-Lewis, Castleton (seventh); Merissa Gordon, Bristol (eighth); Sophia Welch, Bridport (ninth); Ruby Hubbell, Shoreham (tenth); Hailee Allen, New Haven (eleventh).

4-H’ers who attended but did not enter a dish included Caroline Allen, Vergennes; Brianna Bessette and Arya Manti, both from Salisbury; Lucy Bowdish, Weybridge; Wyatt Carter and Fallyn Norton, both from Bridport; Brenna Foran, Lincoln; Beau Joyal, Williston; Casey Lucas, Orwell; and Chace and Summer Petrin, Addison.

In addition, the 4-H’ers donated nonperishable foods and money to the Addison County Emergency Food Shelf in Middlebury.

For information about the 4-H cooking project or Addison County 4-H, contact UVM Extension 4-H educator Martha Seifert at (802) 656-7547 or martha.seifert@uvm.edu.