Gourmet News

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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Newport Avenue Market Joins in Donating Peanut Butter for Kids

Published June 17, 2024

Some things are better together: peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter and chocolate…and peanut butter and children. It’s true: for growing bodies, peanut butter provides a whopping eight grams of protein per serving and acts as the main building block for strong muscles, bones and immune systems. But for students facing food insecurity, separated from reliable, low-/no-cost school-year meal programs, summer can be a time of hunger. Further, area food banks regularly run low on this precious and nutritious commodity.

Enter Newport Avenue Market and Kendall Auto Group, who stirred up a plan to blow the lid off their annual peanut butter donations to NeighborImpact—Central Oregon’s longtime nonprofit that supports neighbors in need of food, housing and other resources. An area-wide call to action mobilized generous shoppers and Kendall Auto Group patrons, and organizers collected a remarkable 9,700 jars of golden goodness—over 1,500 more containers than last year which, frankly, is just…nuts. A lot of nuts.

“No one wants to think of kids going hungry, especially during summertime, when life should be most carefree. But the old adage about many hands making light work is true; coming together, we were able to accomplish even more,” said Lauren G.D. Redman, CEO & president, Newport Avenue Market. “Having a dedicated, community-minded partner like Kendall Auto Group, plus many mission-focused neighbors, helped us make this enormous donation of a much-needed commodity. We’re always grateful to be a part of this annual event and are already planning on how to break the 10,000-jar mark next year.”

Some might say that’s spreading it on a little thick, but Redman and her community cohorts are committed to ensuring the sweetness of summer for area students who need it most—one sandwich at a time.

Located on the west end of beautiful Bend, Oregon, and locally owned since 1976, Newport Ave. Market serves as the food hub of Central Oregon, offering shoppers both mainstream and specialty grocery options, all in a vibrant environment. Their expansive selection of high-quality, in-demand food and beverage items keeps shoppers on their toes. The store employs over 180 “internal foodies,” and is 100% employee owned.

With an atmosphere where people in the community come together for all things food, not to mention a selection of over 500 brews to choose from, Newport Avenue Market has become the food hub of Central Oregon. For more information about Newport Avenue Market, please call 541-382-3940 or visit www.newportavemarket.com.

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