Archive: Around Town

Foodnet Meals-on-Wheels Lead Cook Gary Armstrong says, “Our mac ‘n cheese is an all-time favorite among our participants.”  Now anyone who attends Foodnet’s Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl can sample it at Ithaca High School, Saturday, March 22 from 12 noon until 4 p.m. Armstrong promises it will be delicious and nutritious.

Foodnet macaroni and cheese will one of sixteen 'flavors' of mac ‘n cheese as Tompkins County restaurants and caterers vie to have their mac ‘n cheese identified as the best in town. This friendly competition is to raise funds for Foodnet Meals on Wheels, a daily meal delivery service for elderly citizens who face obstacles with transportation and meal preparation.  Ticketholders are sure to enjoy many tasty options. Tantalizing choices include bbq mac ‘n cheese, smoked cheese with clam, medicine man mac ‘n cheese and many others.

“The idea for Foodnet’s Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl,” said Jake McNamara, volunteer event coordinator, “came from the incredible success of the Albany Times Union event that benefits The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. In the five years since Albany’s event began, the Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl has become so well established that it includes 30 participating restaurants, a long wait-list for restaurants ready to join the event, and ticket-sales that reflect an event that the Albany area loves.”

The Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl is being held in conjunction with the national March For Meals campaign conducted annually with the Meals on Wheels Association of America. The March For Meals will feature “Community Champions Week” to be held from March 17 to March 21. During this time, local officials, celebrities, athletes and business owners will speak up, deliver meals and raise awareness.

Foodnet Meals-on-Wheels Executive Director Steve Griffin appreciates how the “bowl” fits Foodnet Meals on Wheel’s mission. “The Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl affords our organization an opportunity to connect our mission as a meal provider for needy older residents to an activity where the emphasis is on a nutritious much loved dish,” Griffin said.  “The event also shows off the many fine food purveyors in our community.”

Griffin is excited about how this event will demonstrate Foodnet’s strengths as an organization. “As we strategize ways to do more for our clients with dwindling resources,” Griffin said, “we are also using our Mac ‘n Cheese Bowl to raise awareness of senior hunger and raise money to help us carry out our mission."

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