If competition is driving teen behavior – then getting them to be competitively healthy makes sense. Borrowing from their favorite TV cooking competitions can get the idea across that they need to eat healthy food.

HealthCorps, talk show host and cardiologist Dr. Mehmet Oz‘s charity is “a wellness movement with a peer-mentoring program in 53 high schools in 13 states.”

Recently, Dr. Oz, his wife Lisa Oz, USANA Health Sciences’ Founder, Dr. Myron Wentz, CEO David Wentz, and Chefs Rocco DiSpirito and Michael Ferraro were judges for a Teen Battle Chef Cook-Off that was part of a formal announcement of a three-year partnership between HealthCorps and USANA.

The competition involved each student teams shared their unique recipes and demonstrated how to make Kenyan Styled Mixed Greens as well as Collard & Golden Beet Soup.

Super Chef spoke to Dan Macuga, USANA’s Chief Communications Officer and Karen Johnson, HealthCorps’ Director of Outreach and Federal Affairs, to find out more about what the partnership between USANA and HealthCorp means:

Super Chef: What does the three-year relationship entail? Financial support? Product support? Promotion in the press or on products?
Dan Macuga: USANA will be supporting HealthCorps through fiscal donations designated through the USANA True Health Foundation. These donations will go toward funding valuable HealthCorps programs that align with the foundation’s mission statement. The mission of the USANA True Health Foundation is to provide the most critical human necessities—nutrition, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and health education—to those who are suffering or in need.

Super Chef: What does the three-year relationship entail? Financial support? Product support? Promotion in the press or on products?
Dan Macuga: USANA will be supporting HealthCorps through fiscal donations designated through the USANA True Health Foundation. These donations will go toward funding valuable HealthCorps programs that align with the foundation’s mission statement. The mission of the USANA True Health Foundation is to provide the most critical human necessities—nutrition, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and health education—to those who are suffering or in need.

Super Chef: How did this relationship come about? Who contacted whom? When? Why did USANA choose this program and not others? Were Dr. Wentz and Dr. Oz friends?
Dan Macuga: After meeting a couple of times, Dr. Oz, Dr. Wentz and Dave Wentz developed a mutual respect for each other, which grew into a larger commitment— one where USANA has pledged to support HealthCorps core programs. Health education is one of the core tenets of USANA True Health Foundation’s mission and HealthCorps is an organization that is making a big impact in community wellness education.

Super Chef: Is USANA developing products for the teenage market?
Dan Macuga: USANA’s Usanimals “Body Rox” supplements are specially formulated for teenagers to help with mental development, teen skin health, physical development, etc.— there is a multivitamin, as well as a chewable calcium. Additionally, USANA has a BiOmega (omega-3) product, which is a popular supplement for teens.

Super Chef: Will Dr. Oz feature any USANA products on his show?
Dan Macuga: Dr. Oz has a great relationship with Dave and Dr. Wentz, and currently there are no plans to promote the products on his show. Dave and Dr. Wentz, however, may be cited in topics related to their fields of expertise (healthy cells and healthy homes).

Super Chef: Has USANA supported any other educational or philanthropic organization before?
Dan Macuga: Yes, USANA has a long-standing relationship with Children’s Hunger Fund, another organization committed to helping children in need. For more than a decade, USANA and CHF have helped alleviate the suffering of children in impoverished regions across America and around the world. To date, the organization has received over $11 million in resources through USANA.

Super Chef: How were Chef DiSpirito and Ferraro chosen?
Dan Macuga: Chef Rocco DiSpirito is a HealthCorps Ambassador and is an early and strong supporter of the organization.
He frequently speaks at HealthCorps Schools (almost weekly) and is known to bring his Now Eat This food truck with him.
Karen Johnson: Chef Michael Ferraro came at the suggestion of Lynn Fredericks of Teen Battle Chef because of his interest in exposing students to the culinary arts and healthy eating.

Sounds like this is yet another program chefs can get involved in to reach kids in their areas.