LEWISTON — In celebration of Global Youth Service Day, Lots to Gardens Youth Interns will host a cooking contest from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Tree Street Youth Center, 144 Howe St.

The event is a way of giving kids an exciting opportunity to try different foods and voice their opinions about what they’d like to eat at school. They will be providing wholesome ingredients for a pizza-making contest, a Thai-bean wrap contest, as well as a variety of salad bar options where you can vote for your selections.

Youth have what it takes to create something delicious. Their creativity and feedback really count. The winning recipe and salad bar votes will be presented to Kim Austin, the nutrition service director of Lewiston Public Schools. She is working to give student what they want at lunch, so it’s important to let her know.

The Lots to Gardens youth have been interested in the changes taking place in public school cafeterias. They are working to bridge the gaps between the people who eat school lunch and those who plan and prepare it. As the menu evolves to include more fresh and healthy choices, it is important that students understand the benefits of good food and are willing to eat what’s being provided.

On account of a grant the Youth Interns applied for this winter, they have the ability to collect food and supplies for the contest. The funds were rewarded by the Sodexo Foundation Youth Grant Program.

For more information, contact Annie Doran, youth programs coordinator at Lots to Gardens of St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, at 513-3844 or adoran@stmarysmaine.com.