On Tuesday, our nation went to the polls to choose new elected officials at all levels of government. But what about the future leaders of our cities, states and nation? Well, we had a chance to meet some of them last week!

GENYOUth, a national nonprofit based in New York and founded by the NFL and the Dairy Council, hosted one of their AdVenture Capital Programs in Jefferson City, Mo.  Teaming up with No Kid Hungry Missouri, students from across the state were tasked with designing projects to make their schools a healthier place. Once they came up with their idea, they collaborated with volunteer mentors and then competed in a head-to-head pitch competition in a “Shark Tank”- style forum. Students created pitches which included ideas such as increasing access or participation in USDA nutrition programs, after school meals and snacks or even summer meal programs. 

It was truly an incredible day in Jefferson City. 15 schools won $1000 grants to maximize ways to help ensure all students have access to nutritious meals and create a more scalable and sustainable way to ensure kids in their community don’t go hungry. Here at Sip & Savor we know that fed students mean engaged students and engaged students are imperative to create a more healthy, productive world.

If you’d like to learn more about GENYOUth click here or find more information about how our local community-based partners and America’s beverage companies are working together here.