Michelle Obama awards Boulder-based ZisBoomBah $10,000 for kids nutrition website

In July, we reported that Boulder-based Zisboombah.com was a front-runner in Michelle Obama's contest for the best kids' nutrition technology application. The winner of that contest was up for a $10,000 grand prize. Public voting for the best app closed on August 14, and after Obama and a panel of...

By Laura Shunk

October 5, 2010

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In July, we reported that Boulder-based Zisboombah.com was a front-runner in Michelle Obama's contest for the best kids' nutrition technology application. The winner of that contest was up for a $10,000 grand prize.

Public voting for the best app closed on August 14, and after Obama and a panel of experts combed through a hundred submissions, they selected Zisboombah.com as the winner -- and recipient of the hefty check.

The website, launched by Karen Laszlo last November, encourages kids to build their own healthy meals through activities and games. Once they do, that meal is sent by e-mail to the parents, who can use it to reward healthy choices.

Now that the company has come into a little more cash, it plans to expand the activities on the website and launch a nutrition-education curriculum to be used in elementary schools.

"It has been a wild ride," says Brandon Saranik, who works in marketing at Zisboombah.com. "But we're not stopping here."

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Laura Shunk was Westword's restaurant critic from 2010 to 2012; she's also been food editor at the Village Voice and a dining columnist in Beijing. Her toughest assignment had her drinking ten martinis and eating ten Caesar salads over the course of 48 hours. She still drinks martinis, but remains lukewarm on Caesar salads.

Contact: Laura Shunk

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