The Big Game is one of the largest food waste occasions of the year
The Monday after the Big Game is known for being a major “sick” day, with 16+ million people estimated to call in “sick” from work this year. So, this Monday, Feb. 12, Hellmann’s is inviting everyone, including those not going to work, to work at fighting food waste by closing their laptop and opening the fridge. Simply put, Hellmann’s is sick… of food waste. That is why the mayonnaise brand is declaring a new holiday the day after the Big Game: Sick of Food Waste Day.
The Big Game is one of the largest food waste occasions of the year, with over 140K pounds of extra food Big Game and official events alone – and that doesn’t even factor in the massive watch parties at home, bars or restaurants. That’s why Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, a brand committed to inspiring and making it convenient for people to “Make Taste, Not Waste,” is inspiring customers to reimagine mouthwatering dishes out of their leftovers, simply with the help of a dollop of mayo.
This year, the brand is further doubling down on its dedication to food waste reduction through its $100,000 donation to Food Recovery Network. FRN and Hellmann’s will be on the ground in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 11 to rescue surplus food from the Player’s Tailgate and donate it to The Just One Project, a local organization working to end the cycle of hunger and provide food to people in southern Nevada. Last year in Glendale, AZ, Food Recovery Network diverted 2,907 pounds of perfectly good and delicious food, the equivalent of 2,423 meals, into the hands of those who need it, just a small portion of the 10,000 pounds of food the organization has recovered over the past three years in partnership with Bullseye Event Group.
“We are thrilled to partner with Hellmann’s to fight food waste and support those who don’t have enough food to eat,” says Regina Anderson, Executive Director, Food Recovery Network.” 44 million people are unnecessarily facing food insecurity right now while more than 42 million tons of food goes to waste each year. Fighting food waste can happen at large events like this and in lots of other locations like our schools, our conferences, and our homes. We all have the power to ensure perfectly good food doesn’t go to waste, and we are excited to work with Hellmann’s – a name everyone knows – to ensure everyone understands how critical an issue food waste is and the small, simple actions you can take to make a difference.”
“We are proud of our partnership with Food Recovery Network as we continue our commitment to help educate and inspire people to fight food waste in their own homes, whether that’s the day after the Big Game or throughout the year,” says Chris Symmes, Senior Marketing Director, Dressings at Unilever North America. “Our work to encourage awareness for reducing post event food waste, by inventing new ‘holidays’ or helping people creating delicious recipes with leftovers, underscores our vision for a more sustainable future.”
Every fan who posts to TikTok or Instagram Reels tagging @hellmannsmayonnaise, #SickOfFoodWasteDay and #Sweepstakes on Sick of Food Waste Day has the chance to win a trip to New Orleans this time next year*. The lucky winner will also help next year’s Big Game food recovery efforts alongside Hellmann’s partner, Food Recovery Network (FRN), one of the largest student-led movements fighting food waste to end hunger in America.
