PorkRinds.com Presents 2nd ‘Crunch Time Hero of the Week’ Award
PorkRinds.com, the nation’s premiere “hub” for pork rind lovers everywhere and home to top brands including Southern Recipe pork rinds, has announced its second annual collegiate sports celebration, dubbed the “Crunch Time Hero of the Week” award – a sponsorship program designed to highlight outstanding football players during the regular college football season. Through Nov. 30, a collegiate player who has a phenomenal play or a significant tackle during the regular season will be eligible for the “Crunch Time Hero of the Week” award.
The package includes notoriety and promotion as the pork rind “hero,” as well as a celebratory trophy and a generous supply of pork rinds to share with friends and family. Fans can learn more about the campaign and enter to win pork rind prizes at www.PorkRinds.com.
Each week, throughout the 13-game season, one football player will be chosen to win the “Crunch Time Hero of the Week” award, based on his previous weeks’ plays and tackles. At the end of the regular season, each of the 13 weekly winners will be eligible for the “Crunch Time Hero of the Year” award, which will be determined by a fan vote on PorkRinds.com.
PorkRinds.com sees this partnership as a unique opportunity to highlight the natural connection between pork rinds and football – pigskins simply go with pig skins. New this year, the “Crunch Time Hero of the Year” will be invited to attend bigger professional football media events as the collegiate season closes and the NFL season begins culminating in biggest game of 2025 in New Orleans.
“Just like our crunch time players make game-winning plays on the field, pork rinds are the best crunch time decision in the snack aisle,” said Mark Singleton, vice president of sales and marketing at PorkRinds.com. “The annual ‘Crunch Time Hero of the Week’ program is our celebration of the unsung heroes on the football field who get the job done.”
To join in on the fun, pork rind lovers and college football fans alike can learn about the weekly heroes and follow along at www.PorkRinds.com/CrunchTimeHero.
PorkRinds.com, a division of Rudolph Foods, is the e-commerce hub for pork rind aficionados everywhere. Created with the intention to help introduce pork rinds to the masses, PorkRinds.com offers a variety of pork rind brands that are naturally high in protein, low in carbohydrates and gluten free. For additional information and online ordering, visit https://PorkRinds.com/
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¡Yo Quiero! Celebrates Texas Football Team Moms
¡Yo Quiero! has partnered with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football to celebrate some of the most dedicated figures in Texas high school football: Team Moms! Throughout the season, ¡Yo Quiero! will be honoring moms who go the extra mile to support their teams. Nominations for the Team Mom of the Year can be submitted here: www.texasfootball.com/team-mom-appreciation-award/form.
In the lead-up to the big award, 10 moms from across Texas will be recognized with the Team Mom Appreciation Award at games throughout the 2024 season. Each selected mom, who has made a positive impact on her community, will receive an award and a $500 donation to her school during the legendary Friday Night Lights, when Texas high school football takes center stage.
Tara Murray, VP of Marketing for ¡Yo Quiero!, said, “Texans should keep an eye out for ¡Yo Quiero! and the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football crew at games across the state as they honor these deserving individuals throughout the 2024 Texas high school football season!”
¡Yo Quiero! Brands, a family-focused dip company based in Rhome, Texas, is shaking up the national guacamole, salsa and queso category by offering everyone’s favorite dips packed with flavor, made with the fewest additives possible, and featuring quality better for you ingredients. “At the core of it all, we’re just trying to make it easier for families to enjoy their favorite foods together in a healthier way that moms love!” said Murray.
To learn more about the Team Mom Appreciation Award Program and Road Tour, visit here. “At the end of the year, fans will vote at texasfootball.com to help name the Team Mom of the Year,” added Murray.
For over 65 years, the iconic Dave Campbell’s Texas Football media brand has been “the bible” for millions of football fans across Texas. Its annual summer edition is essential reading for rabid football fans, previewing every high school and college team in the state. Known for its comprehensive coverage, TexasFootball.com offers extensive digital content, including team and recruit rankings, scores, exclusive interviews, podcasts, and daily shows. Additionally, TexanLive.com streams over 1,500 live sporting events each year, bringing fans closer to the action.
¡Yo Quiero! Brands is a Texas-based avocado, guacamole, and dip company with state-of-the-art facilities in Rhome, Texas and Guanajuato, Mexico. With a mission of selecting and growing the freshest and finest ingredients, ¡Yo Quiero! creates delicious, hand-crafted products that can be found in most local retailers. Bringing years of experience and dip expertise to the category, ¡Yo Quiero! leads and innovates with integrity and passion. The current lineup of premium handcrafted dips can be viewed on our website. For additional information, recipes, or product availability, please visit www.yoquierobrands.com
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De Novo Gets $4M in Funding for Fermented Lactoferrin
De Novo Foodlabs, a food technology company focused on creating rare protein-based functional ingredients, has announced fresh capital, bringing its total investment to $4 million. This investment will enable De Novo to fast-track the commercialization of its revolutionary precision fermented lactoferrin product, NanoFerrin. The raise, spearheaded by sustainable protein venture capital firm Joyful Ventures, highlights the immense potential of De Novo’s state-of-the-art, animal-free protein solutions to reshape the health and wellness landscape.
Lactoferrin, a functional protein primarily found in milk, plays a crucial role in infant development, and offers numerous health benefits for adults, such as improved immunity, brain health, iron absorption, gut health, and longevity. Lactoferrin has been shown to be effective in alleviating aging-related changes through its anti-oxidation, anti-cellular senescence, and anti-inflammation properties, among others. Traditional extraction methods from cow milk are not only prohibitively expensive but also plagued by sustainability and ethical challenges. De Novo Foodlabs was established to tackle these issues head-on by developing an alternative lactoferrin that delivers all the health benefits without the ethical and environmental drawbacks.
“The lactoferrin market has long been hindered by high prices and inconsistent supply,” said Jean Louwrens, CEO and co-founder of De Novo Foodlabs. “Our team of leading scientists and engineers has dedicated themselves to overcoming these challenges through precision fermentation technology, and we are thrilled to have achieved a breakthrough. NanoFerrin is not only more affordable and eco-friendly; importantly, it also provides a reliable supply source compared to traditional bovine lactoferrin products. We are excited to collaborate with our investors to elevate De Novo to new heights.”
“De Novo Foodlabs exemplifies the innovation and sustainability we champion at Joyful Ventures,” said Milo Runkle, general partner at Joyful Ventuers, and co-founder of the Good Food Institute. “Their advancements in precision fermentation technology and dedication to creating impactful alternatives to high-value animal-derived ingredients pave the way for scalable and profitable industry solutions.” As part of the investment, Runkle will join De Novo’s board of directors.
This latest funding round follows initial investments from Sustainable Food Ventures, Siddhi Capital, Pascual Innoventures, UM6P Ventures, Cult Food Science and Prithvi Capital, bringing De Novo’s total funding to $4 million since its inception in 2021.
The global lactoferrin market, valued at $773 million in 2023, is projected to grow annually by 15.8 percent over the next decade, presenting tremendous opportunities for innovators and investors to enhance the supply chain and satisfy consumer demand. De Novo’s NanoFerrin offers an unmatched ingredient for the food, beverage, and supplements sectors, facilitating rapid market expansion and category growth.
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