BOSTON — Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ 9th annual Ultimate Tailgate Party returns this year on November 3rd. Baldor Specialty Foods will be honored with the Thomas M. Menino Award for Leadership for their commitment to sustainability throughout every aspect of the supply chain to optimize environmental and social best practices.
Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ Founder and Executive Director Ashley Stanley says of Baldor Specialty Foods: “As a company they have supported Lovin’ Spoonfuls since the start in 2010. Via large scale support of events, operations, and the personal advocacy of Sales Executive Shane Brunette, Spoonfuls has been able to count on Baldor Specialty Foods as a committed partner for our entire tenure. Baldor is a true leader in the food space with tremendous impact through their sustainability initiatives; they represent an impressive commitment to zero waste.”
Through advocating for responsible production and consumption, Baldor Specialty Foods is a pioneer for sustainability in the wholesale space. Their programs, such as SparCs and Imperfect Produce, rescue fruits and vegetables from a fate of compost or landfill.
“It’s always incredible to partner with an organization that gets it, and Lovin’ Spoonfuls truly gets it,” says Thomas McQuillan, Vice President of Sustainability at Baldor Foods. “Baldor continues to identify and promote food sustainability best practices and, together with Lovin’ Spoonfuls, is having a genuine impact in the communities we both serve.”
Baldor Foods will be joined at the Ultimate Tailgate Party by Bizarre Foods’ Andrew Zimmern, who returns as host. Zimmern, a member of Lovin’ Spoonfuls Culinary Board and a past Menino Award recipient, is a renowned advocate on issues relating to food justice and access.
Attendees at this year’s Tailgate will enjoy tailgate inspired dishes from restaurants like Uni, Myers + Chang, Eventide, Little Donkey, Bar Mezzana, and more than 20 others. The event takes place from 4-8pm, ending prior to the Patriots’ kick-off versus the Baltimore Ravens at 8:20pm (away game), and will be held at Cruiseport Boston,1 Black Falcon Avenue, Boston, MA 02210. Tickets sell out each year, and will go on sale Wednesday, September 4th. More information and the complete restaurant lineup can be found here.
General admission tickets are $200 and VIP tickets are $300. All proceeds benefit Lovin’ Spoonfuls. The Ultimate Tailgate Party is Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ primary fundraiser of the year, attracting more than 450 guests and over 25 restaurants.
About Lovin’ Spoonfuls:
Lovin’ Spoonfuls is a nonprofit food rescue organization based in Boston dedicated to facilitating the rescue and distribution of healthy, fresh food that would otherwise be discarded. They pick up wholesome, perishable food from grocery stores, produce wholesalers, farms and farmers markets, and distribute it to more than 150 community nonprofits that feed hungry people across Greater Boston, MetroWest, and Hampden County. Each week, Lovin’ Spoonfuls rescues roughly 75,000 pounds of food, feeding 30,000 food insecure people throughout Massachusetts. For more information, contact Liz Ferguson at liz@lovinspoonfulsinc.org.
About Baldor Specialty Foods:
Baldor Specialty Foods is one of the largest importers and distributors of fresh produce and specialty foods in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Beginning as Balducci’s fruit stand in Greenwich Village in 1946, Baldor maintains its original promise – curate and deliver the best and freshest foods in the world. Baldor seeks to provide quality specialty foods and logistics that give their customers an edge. To learn more, go to www.baldorfood.com.
