Alameda County Community Food Bank

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Contact: Kari Martell
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Pete Banaszak of the Oakland Raiders And Chef Chris Rossi of Citron Join Other Chefs And NFL Greats to Tackle Hunger

Taste of the NFL XV Heads to Detroit for Super Bowl XL

Oakland, January 30, 2006 – Pete Banaszak of the Oakland Raiders and Chef Chris Rossi of Citron will represent Oakland at the 15th Annual Taste of the NFL in Detroit. The party will raise funds for America's Second Harvest Network Food Banks, including the Alameda County Community Food Bank and other hunger-relief charities.

"We think it's fantastic that the NFL teams with food banks to raise visibility about hunger at this critical time," states Suzan Bateson, Alameda County Community Food Bank executive director. "We are down 9% in our food drive collections and need food to keep serving 120,000 children and adults each month."

Taste of the NFL is consistently Super Bowl weekend's largest fundraiser, and this year the event takes place Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006, at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich., near Detroit. The recipe for success combines a top chef representing each of the 32 NFL teams with an alumnus or current NFL player to serve up a signature dish, sign autographs and mingle with the crowd of more than 3,000 guests. Since its founding in 1992, Taste of the NFL has raised more than $5.7 million for America's Second Harvest –The Nation's Food Bank Network and other hunger-related charities. It has become one of the premier events of Super Bowl weekend.

"Hunger in America is at a critical point this year," said Wayne Kostroski, Taste of the NFL founder and executive director. "The devastation from recent hurricanes has brought the need into the spotlight. We have a huge opportunity to help raise awareness about hunger needs nationwide, while raising funds to help all those in need."

Football fans and foodies can also purchase copies of the 2006 Restaurant Guide by calling 510-635-3663, ext. 327. The restaurant guide is available for $19.95, (plus $3.50 s/h). For more information on Taste of the NFL, visit the Web site at www.accfb.org.

Hi-res color photography, logos, profiles of participating chefs and players, and recipes are available to the media at www.tasteofthenfl.com/pressroom. If you are interested in interviews with Wayne Kostroski, participating chefs or players, please contact Jennifer Walker (x4443) at 216.696.1686.