Taste of the NFL Fact Sheet

Taste of the NFL Overview
The Taste of the NFL is a non-profit organization dedicated to kicking hunger in America by rallying the country’s best chefs and the NFL’s greatest to support hunger relief. Over the past 21 years, the Taste of the NFL has distributed more than $11 million to food banks through its national Super Bowl event called “The Party with a Purpose®”. Additional funds are raised through local events held with teams in many NFL markets throughout the year. In 2010, founder Wayne Kostroski was named the James Beard Humanitarian of the Year for his efforts to create a national platform to address the needs of the hungry.

The Party with a Purpose® Fast Facts

• The annual strolling food and wine tasting event is the single most successful NFL sanctioned charitable event at the Super Bowl—proceeds go directly to fight hunger. 
• 35 of the country’s best chefs (including one from each of the 32 NFL markets) are paired with a current or alumni player from each NFL team. Special guest chefs are also often featured at the event. 
• Past entertainment acts have included Martina McBride, Bare Naked Ladies, Brooks and Dunn, Styx and Wynona.
• Hundreds of volunteers, including chefs, culinary students, NFL players and more contribute time and talent to make the event a success and raise awareness for this critical issue. 
• Two founding chefs, Allen Susser of Chef Allen’s in Miami and Jack McDavid of Jack’s Firehouse in Philadelphia, are the longest-running Taste of the NFL chefs. Both have participated each year since 1992 along with their original player representatives. Susser is paired with Miami Dolphins Alum Dick Anderson and Jack McDavid is paired with Philadelphia Eagles Alum Jerry Sisemore.
• Depending on the venue, the event typically is host to 2,000 to 3,000 people each year.
• The inaugural Party with a Purpose® took place in Minneapolis in 1992, the site of Super Bowl XXVI.
• This year, more than 3,000 wine glasses will be handed out to guests and filled with Gallo wine. 
• Chefs cumulatively will prepare approximately 45,000 sample-size servings for guests to enjoy.
• The silent auction will have more than 250 items to bid on including unique sports memorabilia, exciting getaways and more.

Super Bowl XLVI: 2012 Game Plan 

Super Bowl XLVI marks the 21th year of Taste of the NFL. For the first time in the event’s history, “The Party with a Purpose®” will take place in a meaningful venue that symbolizes hunger relief—a food bank. Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, one of the largest food banks in the U.S., has graciously offered to host this year’s event. Its 300,000 square-foot warehouse will be transformed for the evening—giving thousands of guests the opportunity to see firsthand the important role of a food bank within a community, while experiencing one of Super Bowl’s premier events. 2012 Highlights include:

• Honorary Chairperson is Tony Dungy, head coach of the 2006-07 Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, current analyst on NBC’s Sunday Night Football pregame show and best-selling author.
• Ted Allen, the Emmy-award winning host of Chopped on Food Network, has been tapped as culinary host.
• Joey Faugno and Mauro Castano of TLC’s Cake Boss will be onsite to reveal an original cake creation and to mingle with guests.
• The newly crowned Miss America will once again be on hand to greet guests. 
• The 2012 event is made possible through the generosity of Taste of the NFL partners including E & J Gallo, AARP Foundation, Kroger and PepsiCo as well as 2012 Hunger Heroes including The Columbia Club, Harlan Family Foundation, Marsh and Monarch. Other supporting sponsors include Macys, Pernod Ricard, Hass Avocado and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. Media partners include Sirius Radio, The Indianapolis Star and The Indianapolis Business Journal.

Hunger Relief 

As a record number of Americans seek emergency food assistance this year, the need to kick hunger is greater than ever. One in six Americans lack consistent access to adequate food—many of them children. As many food banks struggle to meet demand, it is important to note that just $10 has the potential to provide 60 meals for men, women and children who are struggling to get enough to eat.

All proceeds from Taste of the NFL and other events go directly to fighting hunger. Taste of the NFL dedicates proceeds from the annual event to a designated Feeding America food bank in every NFL city.