Gourmet News

Southern Glazer’s VolunCheers Raise $82K for Charity

Published January 12, 2024

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has announced results from the company’s 2023 Employee Holiday Giving Campaign. The annual campaign, which ran from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, is part of Southern Glazer’s VolunCheers program, a grassroots employee volunteering and giving program that empowers team members to engage with charities in their local communities.

These efforts are managed through the company’s enterprise-wide internal digital portal, VolunCheers Online, where employees can connect with each other, organize, and promote volunteering and giving activities. In the spirit of the holidays, Southern Glazer’s pledged to donate $25 for every volunteer hour logged by employees throughout November and December on VolunCheers Online.

Employees exceeded last year’s holiday campaign results by logging 3,284.5 volunteer hours to support diverse causes and uplift their local communities, resulting in a total donation of $82,113 to support the campaign’s three benefiting charities. The beneficiaries of this year’s campaign are Feeding America, Giving Kitchen, and Food Banks Canada and each will receive a $27,371 donation to help further their meaningful work.

“Southern Glazer’s promotes volunteerism that cultivates both opportunity and a sense of belonging in the communities where we reside and operate,” said CEO Wayne E. Chaplin. “Our employees continuously explore ways to expand our impact through volunteering. The VolunCheers program at Southern Glazer’s not only streamlines the discovery and initiation of volunteer and fundraising activities, but also enables us to acknowledge our employees’ dedication to making a difference one action at a time.”

Month after month, Southern Glazer’s employees demonstrated their passion for giving through meaningful charitable work. The company is proud to close 2023 with nearly 14,233.75 employee volunteer hours logged and 203 employee-led volunteer events organized to benefit more than 127 charities.

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Totino’s Scores Pete Davidson for NFL Playoff Promotion

Published January 9, 2024

As the Big Game approaches, Totino’s Pizza Rolls is making a bold play to rescue football fans from disappointing pizza delivery experiences in a new ad campaign airing during playoff season. In partnership with comedian and actor Pete Davidson, Totino’s aims to dethrone traditional flat pizza and help fans experience game day with Pizza Rolls snacks that are a touchdown in every bite.

While pizza remains the undisputed champion of the Big Game and topping the list of most ordered delivery foods, nothing ruins game day — other than the agony of your team taking a loss — like an unfortunate pizza delivery experience. Recognizing the plight of pizza lovers nationwide, Totino’s Pizza Rolls is stepping onto the field just in time for the playoffs, equipped with their arsenal of delicious, bite-sized pizza snacks that are ready in minutes.

“Flat Pizza has had its reign for far too long, which is why I’m teaming up with Totino’s Pizza Rolls in the fight for flavor,” said Davidson. “Let’s give the people what they deserve — delicious, piping hot pizza snacks!”

In two new ad spots developed in partnership with Dentsu Creative, Davidson delivers his signature style of comedy as he takes on pizza delivery and epic game day parties. In the first spot, “Pete’s Pre-Game,” Davidson spies on his neighbor struggling to receive a pizza delivery order and shows him why Totino’s is the best way to snack on game day. In “Pete’s Za Party,” consumers get a peek into his ultimate and over-the-top game day set up complete with a conveyer belt producing Pizza Rolls and even a built-in air fryer in the “hot seat,” all allowing him to enjoy Totino’s without ever having to leave his couch.

“We understand the importance of a great game day experience, and that starts with providing consumers unbeatable snacks offered at an affordable price point,” said Taylor Roseberry, brand experience manager for Totino’s. “With Totino’s Pizza Rolls, fans can expect a game-winning combination that delivers convenience and satisfaction in a delicious snack. This is brought to life in our creative campaign in collaboration with Davidson, whose comedic style and absurdly funny persona embodies the Totino’s brand perfectly.”

In addition to its collaboration with Davidson, Totino’s is surrounding the first-ever live Spanish broadcast of the Big Game on Univision with both a pre-show integration in partnership with fan-favorite hot sauce brand Tapatio. While no stranger to engaging and celebrating its growing fanbase of Hispanic snackers, Totino’s is releasing its first Spanish-language ad spot, “Hang Time” during Univision’s broadcast. The comedic spot shows how a pizza delivery driver’s day turns into an epic hang out as he joins the homeowner to experience first-hand the joys of selecting a superior snacking option like Totino’s Pizza Rolls.

Totino’s Pizza Rolls snacks promise to deliver an unmatched snacking experience for football fanatics. With the reliability of always being hot and ready in just minutes, these savory bites ensure a tasty touchdown celebration from the comfort of your couch.

For more information on all of Totino’s offerings, visit Totinos.com and follow Totino’s™ on social at Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter.

General Mills makes food the world loves. The company is guided by its Accelerate strategy to drive shareholder value by boldly building its brands, relentlessly innovating, unleashing its scale and standing for good. Its portfolio of beloved brands includes household names such as Cheerios, Nature Valley, Blue Buffalo, Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Totino’s, Annie’s, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, General Mills generated fiscal 2023 net sales of U.S. $20.1 billion. In addition, the company’s share of non-consolidated joint venture net sales totaled U.S. $1 billion.

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Wanted: Hotdoggers to Drive the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile

Published January 9, 2024

Hot dog! Oscar Mayer has opened applications for Hotdoggers, inviting fans to apply for a one-year, full-time, paid gig behind the wheel of the iconic Wienermobile. Open through Jan. 31, the relished position offers fans the opportunity to become official spokespeople of the brand while living out its mission: sparking smiles.

Chosen applicants will represent the 37th class of Hotdoggers, joining a rich history of spreading joy and wiener whistles to adoring fans. Traveling an average of 20,000 miles each year, Hotdoggers visit at least 40 cities across the country and attend more than 1,200 events. Each member of the class is entrusted with driving and maintaining the 27-foot hot dog on wheels, along with creating social content for the brand’s channels during their “meat” and greets across the country.

“The title of a Hotdogger is a rare and coveted position unique to those seeking adventure and a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Ed Roland, ‘Top Dog’ and senior manager brand communications for Oscar Mayer at The Kraft Heinz Company. “Statistically speaking, more people have visited space than driven the Wienermobile! We take pride in welcoming the next class who will continue to uphold the tradition of sparking smiles and bringing buns of fun to fans across the U.S.”

Hotdoggers go above and beyond traditional “spokesperson” duties to represent the iconic Wienermobile – a sizzling fixture in American zeitgeist since it hit the hot dog highways in 1936. In recent years, Hotdoggers enjoyed a trip to Puerto Rico for the first time in more than 50 years, married 12 couples at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas and introduced the first-ever hot dog-flavored frozen pop to fans in New York City.

The coveted Hotdogger title is granted to 12 applicants who cut the mustard. To learn more about Oscar Mayer, the Wienermobile or Hotdoggers, follow along on Facebook or Instagram.

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