Project Bread Announces Winners of Healthy Recipe Contest Celebrating Cultures

EAST BOSTON, Mass. – Project Bread announced two winners of a recent recipe contest hosted by its Health Care Partnerships program, which invited participants to share recipes that hold special meaning to them and their families. The contest received 14 entries celebrating the foods that bring joy, connection and cultural pride.

Aimee won for her mother's healthier alfredo chicken, a lighter twist on the Italian-American comfort classic. For her, the dish represents more than creamy pasta: it connects her to her mother's voice when she taught her the recipe over the phone in 2008.

Yahaira was recognized for a high-fiber, high-protein lentil dish that honors her family's history. Growing up, lentils were an affordable and reliable staple in the kitchen. When her mother added chicken, it transformed the meal into something the family was excited to gather around.

"Nourishing meals do not have to be expensive or complicated," says Courtney McGarry, Assistant Director of Health Care Partnerships at Project Bread. "These recipes demonstrate how food brings people together and provides the nutrition our bodies and minds need while honoring culture and tradition."

The contest encouraged participants to submit recipes that take 30 minutes or less to prepare, include protein and produce, stay budget-friendly at $25 or less for four servings, and use minimal salt and sweeteners. Recipes were accepted in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese, with special encouragement for recipes reflecting participants' own cultural traditions. Winners were selected based on the compelling stories that accompanied their recipes.

Two winners were chosen — one from the nonprofit’s Kids Class and one from the Wellness Class, monthly cooking classes offered to Health Care Partnerships program participants. Each winner received a $100 Stop & Shop gift card, and the winning recipes will be featured in future monthly cooking classes. To view the winning recipes, click HERE.

Project Bread's Health Care Partnerships program connects food-insecure patients with comprehensive support through Massachusetts' Medicaid system, MassHealth. Since its pilot launch in 2020, the program has served more than 21,000 patients statewide, providing cooking equipment, SNAP enrollment assistance, hands-on cooking classes and nutrition education. Monthly cooking classes are led by a team of dietitians, focusing on warming, nourishing and budget-friendly meals. The classes emphasize diabetes-friendly recipes, children's nutrition and overall wellness.

For more information about Project Bread's Health Care Partnerships program, visit www.projectbread.org/healthcare-partnerships.

About Project Bread
Project Bread, the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts, connects people and communities in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food while advocating for policies that make food more accessible—so that no one goes hungry. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.