Gourmet Food
NFL Great to Help Celebrate Pork Rind Appreciation Day
Get ready to CRUNCH into the 16th annual Pork Rind Appreciation Day campaign, “It’s Crunch Time,” brought to you by Southern Recipe pork rinds. Southern Recipe has partnered with NFL Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas (Class of ’07) to support Coach Mike Ditka’s Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, which assists former NFL players in need, and to celebrate Pork Rind Appreciation Day. Football fans and snack enthusiasts alike are invited to participate in the “It’s Crunch Time” campaign, culminating in the biggest football day of the year on Feb. 9.
Consumers can join the fun and help raise awareness for one of football’s most vital charities. Enter to win a travel package to the 2026 Super Bowl in Santa Clara, CA, that includes two Super Bowl tickets, hotel and airfare, and, of course, a year’s supply of pork rinds!
From now until Pork Rind Appreciation Day on Feb. 9, fans can engage on PorkRinds.com, where they can enter to win the Grand Prize of two tickets to the 2026 Super Bowl in Santa Clara, Calif. and a year’s supply of pork rinds. Don’t miss out—visit PorkRinds.com to get in on the action.
This year’s Pork Rind Appreciation Day “It’s Crunch Time” campaign is set to amplify Southern Recipe’s passion for football and highlight the perfect pairing—pigskins and pig skins. In honor of this beloved foodie holiday, Southern Recipe is rolling out the red carpet for all pork rind fans—from tailgating aficionados to recipe lovers and peewee players. And who better to champion this year’s campaign than Thomas, a legendary running back for the Buffalo Bills who dazzled fans with his remarkable career. Thomas is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and was a key player in the Bills’ four consecutive Super Bowl appearances during the early 1990s.
“Partnering with the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund highlights our commitment to supporting football legends who’ve given us so much,” says Mark Singleton, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Rudolph Foods. “In our 16th year of celebrating Pork Rind Appreciation Day, we’re proud to support this vital charity and show our gratitude to these athletes who continue to face challenges long after they retire.”
The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund plays a crucial role in supporting former NFL players who face difficulties once their careers end. Often, these players struggle with health insurance, retirement benefits, and medical costs. GGAF provides essential assistance to these athletes who may no longer receive the recognition and support they once enjoyed. Each year, Southern Recipe takes pride in raising awareness through a celebration that resonates with all: Pork Rind Appreciation Day.
About Southern Recipe
Southern Recipe— “The tastiest crunch in the South—is a premium brand of pork rinds. Known for delivering iconic flavors in a nostalgic recipe, Southern Recipe offers this classic Southern snack in internationally inspired varieties that feature eight grams of protein, low in carbs, and are naturally gluten-free. For more information, visit https://porkrinds.com/.
About Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund
The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund (GGAF) is a non-stock, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing financial grants and ‘pro bono’ medical assistance to retired NFL players in dire need. GGAF focuses on the humanitarian side of post-football issues, including coordinating social services for players who need support due to inadequate disability benefits or pensions. For more information, visit www.GridironGreats.org.
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Southern Glazer’s Acquires Horizon Beverage Group
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits—the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol—today announced the successful closing of its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Horizon Beverage Group, Inc., one of New England’s premier alcohol distributors, including all of Horizon’s operations and wine, spirits and beer portfolio. Effective immediately, Horizon’s operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will operate under the name Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company.
The acquisition marks an exciting expansion for Southern Glazer’s, adding Massachusetts and Rhode Island as the 46th and 47th markets in its U.S. footprint, alongside operations in Canada and the Caribbean.
“With this acquisition, we’re combining Horizon’s deep regional expertise with Southern Glazer’s advanced technology and robust resources,” said Wayne E. Chaplin, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “We are excited to bring customers and suppliers enhanced tools, data insights, and service offerings that position us to meet and exceed their needs in these vital markets.”
Both Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets will operate as part of Southern Glazer’s East Region, led by Scott Oppenheimer, East Region president.
“We are grateful to Horizon’s employees, customers, and partners for so many years of success, and this transition represents an even brighter future for all,” said Bob Epstein. “We’re confident that Southern Glazer’s strength and scale will not only support a smooth integration, but also create new opportunities for growth and success.”
“We’re committed to maintaining the exceptional service that Horizon is known for while bringing the added benefits of being part of the Southern Glazer’s family,” added Jim Rubenstein. “This partnership ensures stability and growth for all stakeholders and strengthens our ability to deliver value across the board.”
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned Company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. In 2024, Southern Glazer’s was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.
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NatureSweet Donates 3.5M Pounds of Produce to Food Banks
NatureSweet is proud to announce the donation of 3.5 million pounds of fresh produce to food banks throughout North America in 2024, providing vital support to those in need. The donated tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers were distributed to food banks in both the United States and Mexico, providing more than 2.9 million meals.
“Amid a year marked by record inflation and soaring food prices, we are committed more than ever to offering nourishment to families facing financial hardship,” says Rodolfo Spielmann, president and CEO of NatureSweet. “Our donations of fresh produce will not only feed but also uplift those who are struggling, providing much-needed relief during these difficult times. We are incredibly proud to support food banks both locally and across the continent. We will continue our efforts to provide fresh, nutritious NatureSweet produce to those in need, now and in the years ahead.”
In 2024, approximately two million pounds of produce were donated to the San Antonio Food Bank, which has been instrumental in providing food to families in San Antonio, where NatureSweet is headquartered. According to the SAFB, this donation has helped provide 1.9 million meals to local families. NatureSweet was honored by the SAFB in 2022 with the “Hunger Fighter of the Year” award for its ongoing contributions to the Gift of Food initiative. More than one million pounds were donated to Bancos de Alimentos de México, a network of food banks in Mexico that helps vulnerable communities.
As part of its continued mission to fight hunger, NatureSweet remains dedicated to strengthening its partnerships with food banks and enhancing its support for communities in need across North America.
NatureSweet, the leading brand in snacking tomatoes, is your single-source solution for greenhouse-grown vegetables. As the largest vertically integrated controlled environment agriculture company in North America and greenhouse grower, NatureSweet owns over 1,400 acres of greenhouse space.
With a dedicated team of approximately 9,000 Associates, we carefully grow, harvest, and package a variety of fresh vegetables, both organic and conventional, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers. Available in major retailers across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, our produce is handpicked at peak freshness to ensure superior quality. Committed to making a positive social, environmental, and economic impact, NatureSweet’s purpose is to transform the lives of millions of agricultural workers through a scalable and profitable business model. Our dedication to sustainability and social responsibility is reflected in our B Corp, Fair Trade and Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) certifications.
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