Food Club® holds Boy Band Bake-Off: Big Game Dips Edition

*NSYNC, Backstreet Boys members go head-to-head for Feeding America® in new competition highlighting Food Club canned tomatoes

To prepare for the Big Game, the Food Club brand is hosting a Boy Band Bake-Off: Big Game Dips Edition, pitting Lance Bass—multi-platinum GRAMMY® winner of boy band *NSYNC—against A.J. McLean—member of the eight-time GRAMMY®-nominated music group Backstreet Boys—for the title of Best Big Game Dip. Making a special appearance as referee for the competition was *NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick.

The video, which hit social media channels earlier today, shows the boy band members creating their favorite Game Day dip recipes which include Lance’s Fired-Up Cheesy Dip and AJ’s Mediterranean Whipped Feta Dip. Each offering features Food Club Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes or Food Club Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies. Click here to access the recipes, including Chris’ Fire Roasted Bean Dip.

Fans can vote for their favorite dip via social media with the winning chef receiving a truckload of Food Club non-perishable food donated to Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, a local Feeding America partner food bank, in their name.

Stores who carry Food Club have found this boy band partnership to be a unique way to connect with their shoppers.

“Through Food Club, we’ve built a meaningful partnership with a nationally recognized organization like Feeding America, allowing us to take an active role in the movement to end hunger by engaging our shoppers alongside pop music icons like Lance, A.J. and now Chris,” said Mike Cormier, Big Y Foods, Inc. Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Topco member. “This initiative has also created a unique opportunity to showcase Food Club and Own Brands on a national stage as we work to address food insecurity through Feeding America. Our shoppers feel a strong connection to this brand and the purpose it represents, so joining forces with these boy band members and Feeding America to address hunger in our communities is incredibly meaningful.”

Food Club started the Boy Band Bake-Off last fall with Bass and McLean to celebrate its 80th anniversary while also giving back to local communities through Feeding America.

“I’m excited to continue my partnership with Food Club this year and to see firsthand the powerful difference the brand is making in addressing hunger,” Bass said. “At a time when so many people lack access to quality food, I’m grateful to play a role in helping connect communities to the resources they need through Food Club and Feeding America.”

McLean, who recently teamed up with Food Club for a Thanksgiving-themed Music, Meals & Moments That Matter partnership to coincide with his new EP release, was elated to pair up with Bass and Kirkpatrick.

“Partnering with Food Club and Feeding America has proven to be a meaningful way to connect with fans while also having an impact on food insecurity,” McLean said. “Plus, I always welcome the opportunity to compete against Lance.”

For Kirkpatrick, it was his first time partnering with Food Club and Feeding America.

“It was easy to say ‘yes’ to Lance and A.J., knowing that we will be able to make an impact on ending hunger in local communities through this partnership,” he said.

The winner of the competition will be announced on the brand’s social media pages on February 10.

Food Club’s partnership with Feeding America includes a 5-million meal donation* to help end hunger in regional communities across the nation where this exclusive store brand is available. The brand hopes to inspire others to join in the nation’s largest hunger relief organization’s vision for an America where no one is hungry.

To learn more about Food Club as well as see behind-the-scenes of the Boy Band Bake-Off: Big Game Dips Edition, visit FoodClub.com.

*$1 helps provide access to at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local partner food banks.

—About Food Club—
Established in 1945, the Food Club brand brings its grassroots focus of family, community, quality, service, and value to the forefront for today and tomorrow’s shoppers. The brand’s mission is to provide great-tasting and affordable food around tables and communities. Food Club offers nearly 3,000 products across nearly every department, covering everything from snacks and supper to baking and breakfast. The brand – procured by Topco Associates, LLC to support member-owners – has products currently available to purchase in thousands of Topco member stores across the country. For more information on Food Club or to see where Food Club products are available for purchase, visit www.foodclub.com.

—About Topco Associates, LLC—
Topco Associates, LLC is a $15 billion, privately held, member-owned company that provides aggregation, innovation and knowledge management solutions for its leading food industry member-owners and customers, including grocery retailers, wholesalers, food service, and pharmacy companies. Topco leverages the collective volume, knowledge, and commitment of these companies to create a competitive advantage in the marketplace by reducing costs and offering winning business-building capabilities. Topco manages 20 brands on behalf of its member owners, including the Food Club brand. For more information, visit www.topco.com.

—About Big Y Foods, Inc.—
Big Y Foods, Inc., is a family-owned, locally focused supermarket chain serving communities across the Northeast. With more than 10,000 dedicated employees, Big Y operates supermarkets, Table & Vine fine wine, beer and liquor and Big Y Express fuel and convenience locations. Renowned for its commitment to people and purpose, Big Y has earned recognition from Forbes as a Best-In-State Employer in Massachusetts and Connecticut for seven straight years and from Newsweek as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies for three years running. Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D’Amour, the store takes its name from an intersection in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where two roads converge to form a “Y.” For more information, visit www.bigy.com.

—About Feeding America—
Rooted in the voices of neighbors facing hunger, Feeding America® unites the country to ensure everyone has access to food and a thriving future. We support tens of millions of people as part of a nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries and meal programs. Powered by leaders and volunteers embedded in local communities, we are one of the nation’s most effective food distribution systems to drive immediate impact today –and a catalyst for long-term change through advocating for legislation that improves food security and work to address its factors. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters, acting united with unwavering commitment to provide nourishing food and work to end hunger at its roots so everyone can live fuller, healthier lives. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.