Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Partner Spotlight of the Month: Ryan Clark Cure League
Every month here on our blog, we'll be highlighting one of our non-profit partnerships. This month, learn a little more about the Ryan Clark Cure League.
Pittsburgh Steeler Ryan Clark recently teamed up with the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and funds for research. Sickle cell disease affects millions of people worldwide, and is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. It primarily affects African Americans and people of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent. Through the newly formed Ryan Clark Cure League, Ryan hopes to create a better future for those living with the disease.
Ryan has the sickle cell trait, meaning that he carries the gene for sickle cell disease. People with sickle cell disease inherit one gene from each parent for the abnormal, sickle-shaped hemoglobin. These cells become lodged in blood vessels, causing excruciating pain, infections, and potentially damaging vital organs such as the lungs and heart to the point of organ failure. Organ damage and even strokes can also occur in children and adults who have the disease. There is no cure for sickle cell disease and few successful treatments. People who have this disease live with chronic pain and frequent hospitalizations, and many die in their 40s or 50s.
Ryan’s sickle cell trait became a national story during the 2007 season when he first realized that he carries the trait in a game against the Broncos in Denver. Even though he does not have the disease, the high altitude conditions, such as that of Mile High Stadium, caused Ryan’s red blood cells to sickle. He became very sick and needed emergency surgeries to remove his spleen and gallbladder. Ryan’s subsequent inability to participate in away games at Denver—including the first game of the Steelers regular season on September 9th—continues to make local and national headlines.
Ryan is passionate about creating a better future for those living with sickle cell disease: He is partnering with experts at the University of Pittsburgh Vascular Medicine Institute and UPMC to build the world’s leading research program for patients with sickle cell disease, with a focus on finding better treatments that will improve patient care until a cure is found.
But Ryan can’t tackle this by himself—he needs help to expand this message of awareness and hope. Visit www.cureleague.org or call Kim Olsen at 412-647-4276 to learn more about how you can support the Ryan Clark Cure League.
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Ryan has the sickle cell trait, meaning that he carries the gene for sickle cell disease. People with sickle cell disease inherit one gene from each parent for the abnormal, sickle-shaped hemoglobin. These cells become lodged in blood vessels, causing excruciating pain, infections, and potentially damaging vital organs such as the lungs and heart to the point of organ failure. Organ damage and even strokes can also occur in children and adults who have the disease. There is no cure for sickle cell disease and few successful treatments. People who have this disease live with chronic pain and frequent hospitalizations, and many die in their 40s or 50s.
Ryan’s sickle cell trait became a national story during the 2007 season when he first realized that he carries the trait in a game against the Broncos in Denver. Even though he does not have the disease, the high altitude conditions, such as that of Mile High Stadium, caused Ryan’s red blood cells to sickle. He became very sick and needed emergency surgeries to remove his spleen and gallbladder. Ryan’s subsequent inability to participate in away games at Denver—including the first game of the Steelers regular season on September 9th—continues to make local and national headlines.
Ryan is passionate about creating a better future for those living with sickle cell disease: He is partnering with experts at the University of Pittsburgh Vascular Medicine Institute and UPMC to build the world’s leading research program for patients with sickle cell disease, with a focus on finding better treatments that will improve patient care until a cure is found.
But Ryan can’t tackle this by himself—he needs help to expand this message of awareness and hope. Visit www.cureleague.org or call Kim Olsen at 412-647-4276 to learn more about how you can support the Ryan Clark Cure League.
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Channel 11 Skylights High School Football
Bright lights. Pep rallies. School mascots. Yep, you guessed it, it’s high school football time! Our local schools and communities are important to us, which is why this year we are the proud sponsor of Channel 11 Skylights High School Football.
Channel 11 Skylights High School Football focuses on high school football and all that surrounds it. Visit www.wpxi.com to vote for the game of week, player of the week, spirit award, and band of the week.
Plus, each band of the week will be challenged to memorize and perform our jingle! If they can complete the challenge within the week, we will donate $500 to their band program. Be sure to check our Facebook page to see if they won the challenge!
And don’t forget to stop by your local Eat’n Park for a post-game meal. We’ve got something for everyone!
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| John Fedko with the Eat'n Park fan game of the week |
Plus, each band of the week will be challenged to memorize and perform our jingle! If they can complete the challenge within the week, we will donate $500 to their band program. Be sure to check our Facebook page to see if they won the challenge!
And don’t forget to stop by your local Eat’n Park for a post-game meal. We’ve got something for everyone!
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9.3.2012 Eat'n Park FarmSource Listing
Here's what's fresh & local this week at Eat'n Park!
Tomatoes
Grape Tomatoes
Green Peppers
Zucchini
Cabbage
Cucumbers
Pickles
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Tomatoes
- Brenckle’s Farm, Butler County, PA
Grape Tomatoes
- Yarnick’s Farm, Indiana County, PA
Green Peppers
- Brenckle’s Farm – Butler County, PA
- Yarnick’s Farm – Indiana County, PA
- Hills of Home Farm, Indiana County, PA
Zucchini
- Brenckle’s Farm, Butler County, PA
- Wexford Farms, Butler County, PA
- Harvest Valley Farms, Butler County, PA
- Yarnick’s Farm, Butler County, PA
Cabbage
- Yarnick’s Farm, Indiana County, PA
- Hills of Home Farm, Indiana County, PA
Cucumbers
- Brenckle’s Farm, Butler County, PA
- Wexford Farms, Butler County, PA
Pickles
- Brenckle’s Farm, Butler County, PA
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Thursday, August 30, 2012
Partner Spotlight of the Month: Community Food Banks
Every month here on our blog, we'll be highlighting one of our non-profit partnerships. This month, learn a little more about Community Food Banks.
Two years ago when we launched our LifeSmiles initiative, we made a promise to support under-served communities by helping them gain access to healthy foods. It may be an ambitious goal, but we know the importance of well balanced meals and making them available to anyone.
Since then, Eat’n Park has expanded upon its relationships with the local food banks in the communities we serve. In Pittsburgh, we support the local Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Farm Stands by helping to provide fresh fruits and veggies in areas where they would normally be unavailable. Some very talented chefs from across the company have lent their expertise to visit the farm stands and do cooking demonstrations. Even in this summer’s sweltering heat, they were slicing, dicing, and sautéing up a storm!
But that’s not all. Across Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, many of our restaurants and corporate office team members have volunteered their time to visit their local food banks or pantries to help pack food or unload trucks. Each and every hand helps to make food more accessible to those who need it most.
In the next few months, we will be fostering even greater partnerships with food banks in the neighborhoods we serve through grants, donations, and volunteer time. We hope to help make an impact in providing everyone with a healthy and hearty meal.
Are you interested in getting involved with your local food bank? Here’s a great place to start: http://feedingamerica.org/. Learn more about the fight to end hunger in America.
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Since then, Eat’n Park has expanded upon its relationships with the local food banks in the communities we serve. In Pittsburgh, we support the local Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Farm Stands by helping to provide fresh fruits and veggies in areas where they would normally be unavailable. Some very talented chefs from across the company have lent their expertise to visit the farm stands and do cooking demonstrations. Even in this summer’s sweltering heat, they were slicing, dicing, and sautéing up a storm!
But that’s not all. Across Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, many of our restaurants and corporate office team members have volunteered their time to visit their local food banks or pantries to help pack food or unload trucks. Each and every hand helps to make food more accessible to those who need it most.
In the next few months, we will be fostering even greater partnerships with food banks in the neighborhoods we serve through grants, donations, and volunteer time. We hope to help make an impact in providing everyone with a healthy and hearty meal.
Are you interested in getting involved with your local food bank? Here’s a great place to start: http://feedingamerica.org/. Learn more about the fight to end hunger in America.
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Labor Day Pies & Cookies at Eat'n Park
Don’t “labor” over baking a pie for your Labor Day picnic this weekend – let us make it for you!
We have fresh-baked pies everyday like Strawberry, Lemon Meringue, Blackberry and many more! Plus, if you call ahead, we can have it ready for you when you arrive. Click here to find your local Eat’n Park.
Another great bakery item to take to a Labor Day picnic – Smiley Cookies! Available in both regular and mini, these delicious cookies always put a smile on someone’s face.
Have a great Labor Day weekend!
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We have fresh-baked pies everyday like Strawberry, Lemon Meringue, Blackberry and many more! Plus, if you call ahead, we can have it ready for you when you arrive. Click here to find your local Eat’n Park. Another great bakery item to take to a Labor Day picnic – Smiley Cookies! Available in both regular and mini, these delicious cookies always put a smile on someone’s face.
Have a great Labor Day weekend!
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Monday, August 27, 2012
8.27.2012 Eat'n Park FarmSource Listing
Here's what's fresh & local this week at Eat'n Park!
Tomatoes
Grape Tomatoes
Green Peppers
Zucchini
Cabbage
Yellow Squash
Cucumbers
Pickles
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Tomatoes
- Brenckle’s Farm, Butler County, PA
Grape Tomatoes
- Yarnick’s Farm, Indiana County, PA
Green Peppers
- Brenckle’s Farm – Butler County, PA
- Yarnick’s Farm – Indiana County, PA
- Hills of Home Farm, Indiana County, PA
Zucchini
- Brenckle’s Farm, Butler County, PA
- Wexford Farms, Butler County, PA
- Harvest Valley Farms, Butler County, PA
- Yarnick’s Farm, Butler County, PA
Cabbage
- Yarnick’s Farm, Indiana County, PA
- Hills of Home Farm, Indiana County, PA
Yellow Squash
- Brenckle’s Farm, Butler County, PA
- Wexford Farms, Butler County, PA
- Harvest Valley Farms, Butler County, PA
- Yarnick’s Farm, Butler County, PA
Cucumbers
- Brenckle’s Farm, Butler County, PA
- Wexford Farms, Butler County, PA
Pickles
- Brenckle’s Farm, Butler County, PA
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Friday, August 24, 2012
Brenckle's Summer Update
A few months ago, our team members visited Brenckle’s Farm in Butler to help plant some of our FarmSource vegetables for the season. Time has been flying by this summer and it's crazy how quickly those little seedlings have grown. It’s really cool to see our labor pay off as we enjoy those items that we helped plant. The zucchini and peppers that we planted are now being used in our restaurants for our Hand-breaded Zucchini Appetizer and on our salad bar.
We’re also pretty excited to now have local tomatoes, including the ones we planted at Brenckle’s!
But those aren’t the only items that are local in our restaurants; this week alone we have eight featured FarmSource items (look at the plaque on our salad bar to see the featured local items for each week, or just click here.)
The San Marzano tomatoes take a little longer to mature than the Eat’n Park tomatoes, so these guys won’t be ready to be canned until the end of August. Once I’m done though, I’ll make sure that I update you on how my canning went!
Until next time,
Jamie
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| Picked zucchinis for our restaurants |
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| Our pepper plants |
We’re also pretty excited to now have local tomatoes, including the ones we planted at Brenckle’s!
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| Fresh tomatoes for our restaurants |
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| Our FarmSource items on our Salad Bar |
A little secret about me: I’m what you might call a closet canner, and tomatoes are what I enjoy canning. Not only do the Brenckle’s supply our restaurants with locally grown produce, they also provide me with some unbelievable canning tomatoes. I purchase their San Marzano tomatoes, which are a variety of plum tomatoes that are considered by many chefs to be the best sauce tomato in the world.
The San Marzano tomatoes take a little longer to mature than the Eat’n Park tomatoes, so these guys won’t be ready to be canned until the end of August. Once I’m done though, I’ll make sure that I update you on how my canning went!
Until next time,
Jamie
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