Put your culinary skills to the test in the Arkansas 4‑H Food Challenge! Youth teams work together to create a dish using a mystery ingredient while showcasing food safety practices, nutrition knowledge, teamwork, and creativity.

District contests are held across the state in June, with top teams advancing to the Arkansas 4‑H State Food Challenge held in August. Contest guidelines and expectations remain consistent across both levels while allowing teams to continue building their skills as they advance.

Registration is coordinated through local County Extension Offices.

Who Can Compete?

• Participants must be current 4‑H members enrolled in the Arkansas 4‑H Enrollment System.
• Age divisions are determined by the participant’s 4‑H age as of January 1 of the current year:
  • • Junior Division: Ages 8–10
    • Intermediate Division: Ages 11–13
    • Senior Division: Ages 14–19
  • Teams may consist of two (2) to four (4) members and must all be from the same county.
  • Each team must designate one team member as the team captain.
  • The district contest includes Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions.
    • Teams may include a combination of Junior and Intermediate members when necessary.
    • The team’s age division is determined by the oldest team member.
    • Teams may not combine age divisions to form a Senior team.
  • Teams may compete in only one district contest, regardless of location.
  • The top three teams in each age division at each district contest will advance to the Arkansas 4‑H State Food Challenge.

Please refer to the AR 4‑H District Food Challenge Manual for complete eligibility rules and contest details.

District Food Challenge

Dates and Locations

• Ozark District
  June 16, 2026
  Conway County Extension Office
• Delta District
  June 23, 2026
  White County Extension Office
• Ouachita District
  June 25, 2026
  Clark County Fairgrounds

Registration Information

• Registration for district and state contests is coordinated through local County Extension Offices. Youth and teams may not register independently.
• Teams may compete in only one district contest.
• District contests do not limit the number of teams a county may enter.
• Teams advancing from district will receive state registration instructions from their County Extension Office.
• Each team must have a designated team captain. Families should confirm the team captain prior to registration.

Registration Fees

• District Food Challenge: $50 per team
• State Food Challenge: $160 per team

Registration fees are per team, not per individual, and help cover costs associated with hosting the contest.

District registration closes May 18, 2026, at 11:55 p.m.

State registration will open in June. Invitations will be sent to qualifying teams following district contests. The state registration deadline will be in early July.

State Food Challenge

The Arkansas 4‑H State Food Challenge will take place on August 4, 2026, at Pulaski Technical Culinary Arts College in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The state contest builds on the skills and experience gained at the district level. While the overall contest structure remains similar, minor enhancements or adjustments may be implemented at the state contest to further challenge teams and promote continued skill development.

A State Food Challenge Manual will be shared at a later date with any updates or expectations specific to teams competing at the state level. Registration is available through your local County Extension Office. Each team member advancing to the state contest will receive a 2026 Arkansas 4‑H Food Challenge t‑shirt.