Metro Food Fight 2011
The Mayor’s third annual competitive food drive with Second Harvest Food Bank was a huge success. Metro met the goal to raise at least 10 percent more food donations than last year bringing in a total of 62,503 pounds, which according to Second Harvest will provide over 48,830 meals. This is 11 percent more than last year’s total raised of 52,725 pounds (40,000 meals).
See the final total for each competing department
The following departments won their category. (Note: The winners were selected by total number of average pounds per person for each department, which included both canned goods and virtual donations):
- General Government: Metro Planning Commission
- Police vs. Fire: Metro Nashville Police Department
- Public Participation: Metro Transit Authority
- Mayor’s Office vs. Governor’s Office: Governor’s Office
Each of the following departments met the Mayor’s Food Fight Challenge to raise 10 percent more than 2010’s Metro food drive:
- Metro Arts Commission
- Criminal Justice Planning Unit
- Department of Law
- Justice Integration Services
- Human Resources
- Assessor of Property
- District Attorney General
- Public Health Department
- Nashville Career Advancement Center
- Public Defender’s Office
- Davidson County Sherriff’s Office
- Metro Water Services
- Metro Nashville Police Department
- Parks Department
- Metro Transit Authority
About the 2011 Metro Food Fight
Due to the economy, Second Harvest Food Bank is currently experiencing an increase in demand for services by 25 percent, while food donations in 2011 have dropped by 30 percent and charitable contributions are down 10 percent. For the third year in a row, Mayor Dean challenged Metro departments to a “food fight”. Over the period of three weeks, departments compete for the Mayor’s Cup which is given to the winner in each of three categories: general government, public safety and public participation. For the second year, Dean also challenged the Governor’s Office to a friendly “food fight."
About Second Harvest
When choosing food to donate, remember that Second Harvest’s most needed items for the Emergency Food Box program are the following:
- Peanut butter
- Canned Chicken and Tuna
- Canned fruit
- Canned Vegetables
- Soups/Stews
- Pasta
- Cereal
Food Drive Ideas
Challenge your friends and co-workers to participate too. Having fun during any drive will ensure that even more food is raised this year than last year! Consider some of the ideas below to help encourage your co-workers or friends to bring in food:
- Internal departmental competition: Have a prize for the employee that brings in the most food. Casual day, leave early, come in late, etc.
- Theme the day or the week:
- Macaroni Mondays
- Tuna Tuesdays
- Soups and Stews
- Peanut Butter Party Friday
- Beans for Jeans: Bring canned/dried beans in and wear jeans for a day or a week
- Find creative ways to integrate a recipe into the mix.
- Give a reward for the person who brings in the healthiest canned food item.
- CanStruction. See what sort of fun structures your department can make with your canned food.
Second Harvest Volunteer
Second Harvest Food Bank is always in need of volunteers to sort donated food, especially now and during the holiday season. For more information, please email volunteer@shfbmt.org.
Second Harvest/ Food Drive Questions
If you have any food fight questions, please Heidi Tieslau, Second Harvest Food Bank Food and Funds Drive Manager, at Heidi.tieslau@secondharvestmidtn.org or call 615-627-1581.
2010 Metro Food Fight Winners
Congratulations to all the participating Metro departments in 2010’s food fight. Metro did a tremendous job bringing in over 52,725 pounds which fed over 40,000 meals. See the final total for each competing department. The following departments won their category (Note: The winners were selected by total number of average pounds per person for each department, which included both canned goods and virtual donations):
General Category Winner: Metro Planning Department
Public Participation Category: Office of Emergency Management
Public Service Category: Fire Department
Mayor vs. Governor: Mayor Karl Dean's Office
2009 Winners
Winners of 2009 Metro Food Drive: Office of Emergency Management - 6,005 lbs., Police - 7539 lbs. and Public Library - 29,333 lbs