Kids Report from the 2016 White House Kids' State Dinner

Editor's Note: Just as they did in 2013, 2014, and 2015, my children once again served as reporters for this year's White House Kids' State Dinner.
It was a wonderful day of new recipes, excited faces, and healthy recipes! -- Mel
The White House has grown... literally. The First Lady and her crew grew the vegetables used in the meal served at the 2016 Kids' State Dinner on July 14th. The meal kicked off with Alexandra's Refreshing Watermelon Salad, continued with Hannah's Sweet and Savoury Chicken and Peaches, and finished off with a Fruit-tacular Salad.

But it has also grown over the years. Michelle Obama planted the first White House garden since Eleanor Roosevelt, expanding the vegetable selections on the First Family's food plates. In fact, she said at the dinner, "We eat locally from our garden whenever we can -- which, by the way, is one of the most delicious and affordable ways to eat healthy."

For the last five years the Obamas have truly made the White House the People's House. They've opened their doors to young chefs and told them to make healthy creations that are still delicious to eat. Additionally, they should bring their talents and knowledge back to their own families and communities.

The First Lady celebrated healthy eating with a delicious meal featuring the chefs' recipes, and entertained them with a performace by the cast of Walt Disney World resort's The Jungle Book.

We got to interview a few of the chefs. Abby Newman, age 10, from Massachusetts featured what her state is known for in her dish. Her Fit to Run Boston Marathon Cod-Potato Cake included a Massachusett's fish.

Maya Jacobs, age 10, from Oklahoma made Okie Pride Brown Rice with Chicken and Vegetables and wishes her dish would be served at the school because she could then talk about healthy eating.

Amelie Chen, age 9, traveled 16 hours by plane from American Samoa to deliver her recipe, Breadfruit, Taro, and Garlic Chicken Trio. Breadfruit is very common where she lives and it's very healthy, so kids eat it often and it's easy to get.

This was our fourth trip to the Kids' State Dinner, and each time the Obamas make sure that it's special and that each group gets a chance to shine. We'll miss the Obamas, but we hope the next president continues the tradition.

By S and G Ford (with typing help by Melissa Ford)
All images by S and G Ford
Melissa writes Stirrup Queens and Lost and Found. Her novel about blogging is Life from Scratch.