Produce For Kids and Meijer Team Up with Jump With Jill for Photo ContestProduce For Kids and Meijer Team Up with Jump With Jill for Photo Contest

Jump with Jill has launched a social media-driven photo contest that encourages families to share the benefits of enjoying meals together. As an extension of the Jump with Jill Live Tour presented by Meijer, the #FamilyFoodRockstar Photo Contest seeks to recognize family members who prepare nutritious and delicious meals for their family. From Sept. 1–Oct. 4, residents of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin can post pictures of their family shopping, preparing, or cooking a meal with the hashtag #FamilyFoodRockstar for a chance to win a $100 Meijer gift card.

“When families cook at home, the meals tend to be lower in fat and salt, have more fruits and vegetables, and are better portioned,” says Jump with Jill creator Jill Jayne. “But the benefits of family meals are beyond just nutritional. The social and emotional connections kids strengthen with their families when they eat together help kids perform better academically, engage less in high risk behaviors, and reduce their risk for obesity and disordered eating. How could we not get behind encouraging families to make time to eat together?”

“Our goal is to provide simple solutions to help families enjoy home meals more frequently,” says Shari Steinbach, lead dietitian and nutrition manager for Meijer. “Research has shown that family meals have both health and money-saving benefits.”

Families can participate in the contest by following these simple steps: 

Additionally, Jump with Jill will visit 25 Midwest schools to provide nutrition programs. The consumption-based donations collected from sales of participating produce suppliers earlier this spring raised enough funds to provide Jump with Jill at no cost to 25 schools this spring in the following areas: Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 30–Sept. 2; Cincinnati, Sept. 6–8; Wisconsin, Sept. 13–16; Detroit, Sept. 19–23; and & Grand Rapids, Mich., Oct. 11–17. 

“Our partnership with Produce for Kids allows us to better educate our customers about the importance of making healthy food choices,” adds Steinbach. “We’re extending the reach of Meijer Health and Wellness initiatives by supporting Jump with Jill and its mission to educate kids about good nutrition.”

Created by a Registered Dietitian and musician, Jump with Jill approaches nutrition education with catchy songs and upbeat dance moves to engage kids on the subject of health.