FAQ

Why is the USDA holding the MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge?

Part of the USDA’s mission is to establish and promote Dietary Guidelines for Americans so we can all eat better and lead healthier lives. Encouraging Americans to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they eat is a key part of improving the health of Americans. The goal of the MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge is to create inspiring and instructive videos that will help others eat more fruits and veggies and raise awareness of the importance of a balanced diet on a budget.

What are the criteria for the winning submissions?

Your submission should consist of a video approximately 30 seconds long; a text description of your idea; and a transcript of the video. The USDA panel of judges will select the First and Second Prizes in each category, based on the quality of the concept (including creativity and originality), execution of the video concept (including video and photo quality and creativity), and potential impact on healthy eating habits (including how instructive, easy-to-follow, and cost-effectiveness). Public voting will determine the Popular Choice Prize in each category.

Submissions that contain inappropriate content or consist of someone else’s work will be disqualified. Please see the Official Rules for further details.

Who is eligible to enter the competition?

The MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge is open to individuals over the age of 18, as well as teams of individuals over the age of 18, who are residents of the United States and its territories.

Team members must be at least 18, but your video can include minors under 18 as long as the necessary consent forms are provided. ("Team members" do not include people who appear in the video but don't make any other contributions to the submission.) For details on eligibility, review the Official Rules.

Release/consent forms are required for everyone who appears in the video. If your video features children (minors under 18), a parent or legal guardian must sign the consent form.

I'm a teacher. Can my students be in a video?

Yes, as long as you meet the other eligibility criteria, you can submit a video and have your students appear in it.

Although all team members must be at least 18, "team members" do not include people who appear in the video but don't make any other contributions to the submission. Minors can appear in the video as long as the necessary consent forms are provided.

See also Who is eligible to enter the competition?

How do I enter?

To enter, you must do the following:

  1. Create an account on fruitsandveggies.challenge.gov or log in with an existing ChallengePost account.
  2. On fruitsandveggies.challenge.gov, click "Accept this challenge" to register your interest in participating. This step ensures that you will receive important challenge updates.
  3. Check out the Resources section, where you can learn more about creating videos.
  4. Create a video approximately 30 seconds long, highlighting one (1) way you’ve added fruits and vegetables to your diet without straining your budget. Choose one of these categories: tips for kids, tips when eating at home, or tips when eating away from home.
  5. Confirm that you have read and agreed to the Official Rules. Submit your video by including a link to the video on YouTube.com; a text description of what you did to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet; and a transcript of the video.

What format or file type should I use for my submission?

  • Your video should be uploaded to YouTube.com. Paste the link in the Submission Video field on the submission page.
  • Enter a text description of the video in the Submission Description field on the submission page.
  • In the Video Transcript field, paste a text transcript of all the words that are spoken or sung in your video.
  • Consent forms should be PDF files. Combine them into one file (ZIP, PDF; any single file) and upload it on the submission page.

How does public voting work?

Visitors to the site can vote for as many submissions as they like, but no more than once per day for a single submission. At the end of the public voting period, the votes will be tallied and verified to determine Popular Choice in each category.

What will the USDA and ChallengePost do with my submission?

USDA and ChallengePost will have the right to display and publicize your submission to the public on the challenge website and partner sites. They will also be allowed to publicize your name in connection with the submission and the challenge.

Can more than one person work on a submission and receive credit for it? And if the submission wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?

Yes, teams are encouraged. If a team of individuals is selected as a prize winner, the prize will be awarded to the lead representative of the team. It will be up to the team leader to reallocate the prize money among the team members identified at the time of submission.

Can I enter more than one submission?

Yes. There is no limit to how many times an eligible person or team may enter. An individual may also participate on behalf of more than one team.

Please note that each submission can be entered in only one category.

How do I follow the MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge and get updates?

Sign up on the challenge website and click “Follow” or "Accept this challenge" to receive email updates. Follow us on Twitter: @MyPlate

Who can I contact if I have questions about the MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge?

Email us at USDA-support@ChallengePost.com.