Food Lion to Host Frugal Cook-Off in Charlotte

Food Lion is holding a Frugal Cook-Off on Saturday, Aug. 29, during the Southern Women's Show at the Charlotte Convention Center Hall, in Charlotte, N.C. At the event, participating local food bloggers will prepare meals for four using a variety of the grocer’s private-brand products, demonstrating how to make creative, nutritious meals on budget.

"We're excited for these important influencers to have the opportunity to experience the quality of our Food Lion brand products," said Dave Bass, division VP at Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion and emcee of the event. "We're confident that they'll have a great experience with the products and leave with some delicious, nutritious and low-cost meal ideas to share with their networks."

Taking part in the cook-off are Charlotte-area bloggers Kelley, of The Best Crowe's Nest; Jen, of Peanut Butter Runner; Katherine, of My Mommy Brain; Amy, of Atta Girl Sas; Jenny, of The Melrose Family; and K. Elizabeth, of YUMMommy. The bloggers will be split into two teams of three, with each team required to cook for four adults on short notice and with a limited budget. They'll have 15 minutes to plan the meal and "shop" the Food Lion pantry, and 30 minutes to cook and plate the meals.

The teams will then present their dishes to a judging panel consisting of a media representative, a nonprofit representative, and Food Lion officials Dave Bass, division VP, and Pat Calhoun, director of operations. Each of the winning team members will receive two $250 Food Lion gift cards, while the runners-up will get two $100 Food Lion gift cards, and all participants will take home a Food Lion gift bag filled with the grocer's store-brand products.

Food Lion operates more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, and employs more than 63,000 associates.