The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) will be hosting its second “Hunger Games.” The event challenges top regional companies to assemble teams to compete in a friendly and spirited cooking competition, with proceeds benefitting FBSJ’s Healthy Kids Initiatives.

Held on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Food Bank, located at 1501 Tipton Boulevard, Pennsauken, the event features participating teams who must create a meal from a box containing identical items of food that FBSJ typical distributes to its agency network. A culinary advisor mentors each team, which has 45 minutes to prep, cook, and present their entries to a judging panel. The meal entries must contain three of the four components from the USDA’s MyPlate guidelines (vegetables, grains/dairy, proteins, and fruit). In addition, the Hunger Games event includes a “Best of the Bite-Sized Dessert” contest, voted on by audience members.

Corporate teams from Panera Bread and Subaru of America are among the entrants in the cooking competition. Bite-Sized Dessert competitors include Sift Bake Shop, Osteria, and Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes. FBSJ event and community engagement staff provides oversight and running commentary on the night’s activities.

Admission tickets for spectators can be purchased online at http://foodbanksj.org or at the door.

For more information, contact Pam Pernot at ppernot@foodbanksj.org or call (856) 662-4884 ext. 133

The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. To learn more visit www.foodbanksj.org.