“MYPLATE! The Food Guide Musical Program” is a creative nutrition education/physical fitness initiative promoting not only healthful eating habits, but also physical activity as an important component of a healthy lifestyle. This education initiative has as its purpose the prevention of childhood obesity and reduction of the long-term risks for chronic disease.

“MYPLATE! The Food Guide Musical Program” has received the "Anita Owen Award of Recognition for Innovative Education Programs", “The Certificate of Recognition” from the “Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics” (2019), was selected “University Economic Development Association’s 2017 Awards of Excellence Finalist, has received ”The Certificate of Achievement Award " from The NYS Department of Health, "The Activ8Kids Mini Grant" and "The Legislative Fund Grant".

Our program has been implemented in schools nationwide in New York, California, Connecticut, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This year 2024 marks the 164th implementation of our program with 16,400 students having participated since we started our initiative. In addition, over 30,000 students and 9,000 parents/teachers have benefited from the nutrition messages of the show as audience viewers.

“MYPLATE! The Food Guide Musical Program” is run by The Nutrition and Fitness Education  Initiative, Inc a not for profit company with 501C3 status. We also have a vendor status with the Department of Education. The creator/director of this nutrition education musical program is Helen Butleroff-Leahy, registered dietitian and Ex-Rockette/Broadway Dancer/Director/Choreographer. Her co-writer/director of the program is Roumel Reaux, who has performed/choreographed in 6 Broadway shows including "The Wiz".