March Potluck Competition Spans UW Campuses

Posted on by Anna Tegelberg. This entry was posted in Eating Well and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

This March, The Whole U marked National Nutrition Month and the conclusion of Dare to Fuel, the third and final segment of our three-month Dare to Do challenge. We celebrated both the best way we know how: with a team potluck competition!

Science shows that when people eat together, they are more likely to form lasting healthy habits. Conversely, eating alone or on the run is shown to increase the risk of obesity and poor nutrition. A healthier body is hardly the only positive outcome dining together; people also reap the social benefits of sharing food: conviviality, conversation, stories, and stronger bonds with one another.

In total, 74 departments and more than 750 UW staff members gathered to share and enjoy a healthy potluck meal this March. From Leprechaun cakes and chili cook-offs to breakfast fruit spreads and panini press parties, you brought it all to the table. We were absolutely blown away by every team’s level of commitment and creativity.

Hear what participants had to say and get a taste of the fun in the video below:

My favorite part was…

“Spending time with colleagues & tasting the pies on pi day!”
—Jacqueline Sam, UWMC Administration

“Healthy competition, community building, spending time together outside of the office, and tasting the talent from across the department!”
—Adam Serafin, The HUB

“Enjoying good food & laughter with coworkers.”
—Chris Pennington, Facilities Services – FES

“Having a gathering of great people and great food to help usher in the new, warmer season.”
—Taylor Ishikawa, COHE/Occ Med and Friends

“We had a great turnout with a lot of really creative healthy recipes!”
—Molly Muelling, Epic Clinical Applications Team

To cap the month’s food-based festivities, we’re asking you to vote on your favorite team potluck dish or spread. Head over to our Facebook album and like your favorite photos. The photo with the most likes by 5 p.m. on Friday April 6 will take grand prize!

Now that you’ve fueled up, get ready for your next challenge. Take the field at Husky Stadium for UW Fitness Day May 2 for the largest group workout in UW history! This event caters to—and celebrates—all fitness levels so don’t hesitate to register today!