Gourmet News

Sprouts Healthy Communities Applications Open

Published June 17, 2024

The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation announced that organizations can now apply for funding for programs that advance nutrition education, nutrition access and wellness for children and adults in the communities where Sprouts operates. Sprouts will award a total of $3 million to approximately 300 local organizations.

“Our 32,000 team members want to see our communities thrive. Supporting local organizations that focus on wellness and nutrition access is an important part of what we do,” said Jack Sinclair, chief executive officer of Sprouts Farmers Market.

The Foundation’s mission is focused on improving health outcomes by supporting nutrition education, nutrition access, and wellness programs. Each of the grants will provide organizations with $5,000 to $10,000 in funding. The grant categories include:

Sprouting School Gardens – Funding for new or existing school-based gardening programs that provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that bring nutrition education to life for students
Growing Healthy Kids – Funding for community-based programs focused on children’s nutrition access, nutrition education, and health and wellness
Wellness Across the Lifespan – Funding for community-based programs focused on adult health and wellness

“Our goal is to help children and adults connect with vital resources, learn new skills, and improve their health and wellness,” said Lyndsey Waugh, executive director of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. “We look forward to working with over 300 organizations to drive meaningful impact in our communities.”

Since 2015, the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation has awarded over $20 million in grants to organizations that are working on the front lines of nutrition education and wellness. An estimated 3 million children participate in programs supported by the Foundation each year and Sprouts expects to more than double its grant programs in the year ahead.

The deadline to apply is July 15. For more information on the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation visit www.sprouts.com/about/sprouts-foundation/

True to its farm-stand heritage, Sprouts offers a unique grocery experience featuring an open layout with fresh produce at the heart of the store. Sprouts inspires wellness naturally with a carefully curated assortment of better-for-you products paired with purpose-driven people. The healthy grocer continues to bring the latest in wholesome, innovative products made with lifestyle-friendly ingredients such as organic, plant-based and gluten-free. Headquartered in Phoenix, and one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States, Sprouts employs approximately 32,000 team members and more than 400 stores in 23 states nationwide. To learn more about Sprouts, and the good it brings communities, visit about.sprouts.com.

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Tot-Protecting Pants Celebrate Napoleon Dynamite Anniversary

Published June 17, 2024

In 2004, the world first met one of the 2000s’ most iconic characters, Napoleon Dynamite, known for his love of Tater Tots. Fans watched as Napoleon snuck Tater Tots into class, only to have the school bully, Randy, yell the unforgettable line, “GIMME SOME OF YOUR TOTS,” and kick Napoleon’s pocket – crushing the crispy and fluffy snack. Now, 20 years later, the Ore-Ida brand – the inventor of Tater Tots – comes to Napoleon’s rescue with a first-of-its-kind solution: pants specifically designed to protect Tater Tots. Created in partnership with the film by Searchlight Pictures, the “Ore-Ida Tot-Protecting Pants” are now available nationwide for a limited-time only.

The innovative solution to safeguard Tater Tots pays homage to the joggers Napoleon wears in the film, now with a unique “tot pocket” – answering on real requests from lovers of the film. Inspired by Uncle Rico’s Nupont Fiber, each pair of pants boasts a stylish, dark gray, crocodile-print pattern and durable, food-safe pocket specially designed to protect Ore-Ida Tater Tots. Now everyone – even Napoleon himself – can indulge in delicious Ore-Ida Tater Tots at any time, without fear of crushing them.

“For over 70 years, Ore-Ida has prided itself on delivering crispy and fluffy potatoes every time,” says Jackie Britva, Senior Brand Manager for Ore-Ida at The Kraft Heinz Company. “With June marking the film’s 20^th anniversary, we knew it was the perfect time for Ore-Ida to solve Napoleon’s tot-tastrophe in a way only the inventor of Tater Tots could.”

To launch the Tot-Protecting Pants, Ore-Ida partnered with Searchlight and tapped Napoleon Dynamite himself – Jon Heder – to reprise his character. Modeling the pants in a new short film inspired by the original movie and directed by Aaron Ruell, who plays Kip Dynamite in the movie, Napoleon wistfully shares that he is still haunted by crushed Tater Tots – flashing back to the film’s iconic scene. Spoofing several beloved lines from the film, Napoleon goes on to tell the world that, lucky for him, Ore-Ida is coming to his (and his Tots’) rescue 20 years later.

“The character of Napoleon and myself share a lot of similar characteristics, such as drawing skills and mouth-breathing proficiency, but none so strong as our love of Tots,” says Heder, actor and star of Napoleon Dynamite. “But when my Tots get crushed, a little part of my soul gets crushed as well. And that’s why I’m excited and proud to be a part of Ore-Ida’s movement to stop tot-crushing in its tracks – hopefully these pants keep everyone’s favorite potato nuggets safe, warm and flippin’ crispy.”

The limited-edition Ore-Ida Tot-Protecting Pants are available at www.ProtectYourTaterTots.com, while supplies last. For more information, follow @Oreida on Instagram, and those sporting their new Tot-Protecting Pants are encouraged to flaunt their style by tagging @OreIda and @SearchlightPics on Instagram and Facebook using hashtag(s) #ProtectYourTots #NapoleonDynamite #OreIda.

Napoleon Dynamite is currently available to stream on Hulu.

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Ex-Football Player Clay Matthews Stars in Bar-S Parody Brand Spot

Published June 17, 2024

Former professional linebacker Clay Matthews takes on the role of Golden Locks in Bar-S Foods’ new parody brand spot, Golden Locks and the Three Fridges.

Bar-S consumers’ affinity for football, paired with the former pro athlete’s iconic long blonde hair, made Matthews the perfect celebrity partner for the campaign. Research showed that the fairytale theme would resonate with our target audience and their children, thus reinforcing the brand’s commitment to family-friendly values and accessible, delicious products.

“I loved being part of Bar-S Foods’ reimagined fairytale—it’s funny, clever, and guaranteed to make everyone smile,” said Matthews.

The 90-second parody commercial mirrors the original Goldilocks plot and supports the brand’s new tagline, “Bar-S. It’s Just Right.” However, rather than face a few bowls of porridge, Golden Locks has to choose from three refrigerators. The first is home to a loudly dressed designer meat “salesman” who offers Golden Locks name-brand meats that are way overpriced.

The second holds a roughly 40-year-old man who lives with his mom and has no taste or variety in his meal choices. It isn’t until he discovers the third fridge, stocked with Bar-S products, that Golden Locks finds the perfect balance of quality and value, appealing to his sense of taste and budget.

“Since the majority of our consumers have young children, we saw parody fairytales as the perfect vehicle for reaching the whole family,” said Linda Rodriguez, Bar-S’ marketing director. “The campaign not only showcases our diverse range of products but also highlights our dedication to providing exceptional value without compromising on taste.”

The creative strategy was orchestrated in collaboration with Heart & Soul Marketing, a full-service creative agency based out of Phoenix, Arizona. The campaign will be aired on CTV in select markets and across digital and social media.

To watch the full-length parody commercial visit this link and be sure to follow @barsfoods on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

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