Move Over Nathan's: Kale Eating Contest to Hit NY Food Festival

— -- Competitive eating is about to get a whole lot kale-thier.

On Saturday, July 9, at 2 p.m., in front of Buffalo's City Hall, a kale-eating contest will take place during the Taste of Buffalo two-day food festival.

A total of 10 competitors sanctioned by Major League Eating will face off by chowing down on the leafy green that's become quite the trend--even receiving its own national day in 2013.

“'Kale Yeah, the World’s Healthiest Eating Championship,' is a fun way to encourage everyone to digest the importance of eating healthy and choosing healthy options,” said Michael Cropp, president & CEO of the Independent Health Foundation. “As birthplace of the chicken wing and other food favorites, Buffalo is also leading the way by promoting nutritional options available at the Taste of Buffalo and through this one-of-a-kind special event.”

Forty pounds of kale will be prepped locally in Buffalo, New York, for the competition, a rep for Taste of Buffalo told ABC News. The kale will be prepared as a salad with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Participants will consume as much of the veggie as possible in eight minutes. The competitors are both seasoned and local professional eaters, including Eric “Badlands” Booker, Crazy Legs Conti and “Buffalo” Jim Reeves.

The lucky winner will take home a $2,000 cash prize.