Technology

USDA holds ‘Apps for Healthy Kids’ contest

Agency wants to use crowdsourcing to help kids eat healthier.

Federal News Network Staff

May 3, 2010 4:16 pm

< a min read

wfedstaff | June 3, 2015 1:23 am

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Getting kids to eat better and be more physically active — there just may be an app for that.

The Agriculture Department is holding a contest — Apps for Healthy Kids.

It is the latest in government contest following Washington, D.C.’s very successful Apps For Democracy.

The goal of the $60,000 in prizes: To challenge software developers, game designers, students, and other innovators to develop fun and engaging software tools and games that drive children, especially “tweens” (ages 9-12) – directly or through their parents – to eat better and be more physically active.

Amanda Eamich is the director of new media at the Agriculture Department and explains how Apps for Healthy Kids came about.