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CLARKS SUMMIT- Clarks Summit resident Judy Detter, who once worked at Penn State Worthington teaching a nutrition class, won this year’s national Jif “Mom’s Voice Their Choice Essay Contest” and as part of her a prize, judged their “Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest” held Friday, March 20 in New York City.

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Clarks Summit resident Judy Detter won this year’s national Jif “Mom’s Voice Their Choice Essay Contest”

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Shown are runners up with the “Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest” winner Jordyn Boyer, of Lebanon. Boyer won a $25,000 scholarship and the runners up received $2,500 each. From left, are: Alexandra, 8, Franklin, WI, The Happy Hedgehog; Jordyn, 10, Lebanon, Po’ Boy Peanut Butter Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich; Elisabeth 8, Newnan, GA, Peanut Butter Kabob; Morgan, 11, Batavia, OH, Peanut Butter Fruit Pockets and Emily, 9, Bogue Chitto, MS, Creepy Delicious Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich.

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Detter, who is a stay-at-home mom, has two children: Allie, 4 1/2 and Zoe, 6. Detter said she was surfing the Jif Web site looking for recipes to make with her girls when she saw information about both contests.

At the time, Zoe was 5 and too young to enter the “Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest” that featured a 6 to 12 age limit, so Detter decided to enter “Mom’s Voice Their Choice Essay Contest.” “It was on a whim,” she said.

The essay was about the choices moms make for their families. In her entry, Detter wrote that moms wear many hats. She said she prepares meals, balances budgets makes sure her children are eating healthy and exercising. “Everything you do, you take your family into consideration,” she said she included in her essay.

As a winner of the essay contest, Detter was invited to judge the “Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest” and spend four days and three nights in New York City.

Detter said, originally she was only allowed one guest to accompany her, but because of the close proximity of Clarks Summit to New York, her two children and her husband went along.

“It was great to be part of it,” Detter said, about the “Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest.” “It was fun for the kids and it was great from an education, nutrition standpoint.”

At the contest in New York, Detter said moms accompanied their daughters who were competing. “They all emphasized healthy eating.”

She said the entries included a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a twist: sliced fruit. The winner’s sandwich was a chicken cheesesteak sandwich with peppers, onions, mozzarella cheese and … peanut butter.

“It was really good,” Detter said. While the contestants created their sandwiches, a culinary staff prepared the same sandwiches for the judges behind the scenes.

Detter said Jif peanut butter is a staple in her house. “We have it every day.”

As for cooking together, said Detter, “The girls love helping.” And she believes, “The more food they’re involved with, the more likely they are to try it.”

As a mom, Detter encourages the consumption of whole wheat, multi-grains, fruits and vegetables. She limits processed foods and treats, but she doesn’t ban treats. “Treats and snacks are part of being a kid.”

“I keep things well -balanced.” Detter said. “Fast-food is limited. It’s a fast-paced world, but you can make something healthy at home in 15 minutes.”

According to Jif’s Web site, jif.com, “Since 1981, Jif has been the No. 1 peanut butter that choosy mothers choose for their families. The Jif logo, with its recognizable red, blue and green stripes, has come to symbolize quality and fresh-roasted peanut taste. Moms feel good serving Jif to their kids because Jif means home, family, simplicity and goodness.”

For more information about Jif peanut butter tips, recipes, contests and promotions, visit jif.com.