The Food Connection Sponsors Student Design Competition to Highlight Kentucky Raised Food

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 10, 2016) — The Food Connection is teaming up with University of Kentucky Dining to sponsor a student graphic design competition for a public education campaign. UK students are invited to submit their original series design for posters that highlight the five reasons to be proud of Kentucky raised food.

The five reasons are as follows:

• Stronger Kentucky Economy: Thriving family farms and food entrepreneurs contribute to a healthier economy for all of Kentucky. Each dollar spent with a Kentucky farm or with a Kentucky food entrepreneur recirculates an average of three times in our economy, generating more wealth, more jobs and stronger communities.
• Unique Local Flavor: Ever heard of a greasy bean, or enjoyed mutton barbeque? Strong local food systems allow us to celebrate and preserve our unique Kentucky food culture, while supporting family farms and food entrepreneurs. Fresh heirloom tomatoes, hickory king corn, and beef raised on our famous bluegrass are just some of the flavors only our Kentucky farms can provide.
• Job Creation: It takes a lot of work to put food on the plates of UK students every day. Choosing Kentucky produced foods places your food dollar in the hands of true job creators for our state. From farm supply store clerks to line cooks, meat packers and packaging designers; we all benefit from a strong Kentucky food and farm economy.
• Healthier Environment: Less sprawl, more biological diversity and support for farmers who act as stewards of our land are just some of the environmental benefits that can come with a vibrant and sustainable Kentucky food and farm economy.
• Fresher, Seasonal Eating: Foods that travel straight from a Kentucky farm to your plate are as fresh as it gets: they’re more nutritious and come to you at the peak of their flavor. Eating with the seasons ensures a varied and nutritious diet, and keeps our farmers busy all year.

Participants must submit their design suite via email to lilian.brislen@uky.edu by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.

The winning design series will be chosen by a jury of five judges including representatives from two design firms in Lexington. Winners will receive a $500 award and the winning designs will be used in print and digital media across the campus and the broader community to promote a vibrant food and farm economy for Kentucky.

For more information and to view the guidelines and graphic specifications for this project, visit https://foodconnection.ca.uky.edu/files/graphic_design_competition.pdf. For questions, contact lilian.brislen@uky.edu.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, 859-257-6398, blair.hoover@uky.edu