Tasty Bites Event Feeds Hungry

By Mylinda LeGrande | [email protected]

This year, the weather was near perfect for the Taste of South Jordan Event. The food not only satisfied hungry residents on Sept. 12, but the proceeds went to feed hungry children. This year, proceeds benefited Jordan Foundation sponsored “Principal Pantries” throughout Jordan School District. 

The event started at 4 p.m. and lasted until 8 p.m. There were individuals as well as families attending the event. Participants could purchase books of tickets with each ticket costing $1 each. One family, the Barnes, were sitting under the big tent on tables provided trying barbecue tacos and food from Los Cucos. 

“We found out about this event from the farmer’s market on Saturday,” said Eric Barnes “Everything tastes pretty good.” 

Vendors with food to buy were Sam’s Club, Copper Edge Catering, Brick Oven, Riced, Market Street Grill, R&R Grill, Los Cucos, SLCC Food Catering, Soul Travelers, Harmon’s and Tushar Brazilian Express. Gordmans was there volunteering and manning the drink booth. It does a matching donation (for Jordan Education Foundation) to use to help the homeless kids throughout the district. Royal Academy and C&C Academy were the two dance groups who performed on the stage to offer entertainment to those ate their food bites under the big tent. Munchkin Radio was also on hand to provide music and games for children to play. 

Michael Haynes, the Board president from the Jordan Education Foundation, was on hand to educate residents about the upcoming school bond vote. 

“We also have Principle Pantries, and with Support Services we are able to identify where the need is,” Haynes said. “We have 1,600 homeless kids in our district sometimes called ‘couch surfers,’ who move from place to place. The Principle Pantries as of last year, every single school in the district now has one. Support Services knows who these kids are and provide the need and we help fulfill that.” 

Principle Pantries benefits less fortunate children who may not have time to eat in the morning or not enough to eat at home. 

“It makes a huge difference when kids go home for the weekend,” Haynes said. “The more I can do to help kids the better.”

Steve Hall, executive director of Jordan Education Foundation, was at the event to provide support. 

“There are a lot of kids in the school district that are not homeless but are hungry,” Hall said. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t do well when I’m hungry. We have easy things for the kids to grab and go like fruit and trail mix. Some schools need a lot more than others.”

Hall mentioned that as a result of friendships formed at this event last year good things have come of it. One result Gordman’s hosts Christmas for Kids. Last year they helped 150 kids have Christmas. Also, Market Street Grill decided to help the Foundation out even more. 

“They put a box out for their servers to contribute part of their tips and they helped us with our Christmas for Kids with around $1,000,” Hall said. “They did the same thing for our teachers where they raised $600–$700 to give something to the teachers to honor them. That is how partnerships are formed as a result of these types of events. We appreciate the South Jordan Chamber for what they let us do.” 

Some of the food available for tasting were barbecue tacos from R&R, sesame chicken from Riced, cheese-less mac and cheese from Soul Traveler, clam chowder with a sour bread roll from MarketstreetGrill, brownies from Copper Edge Catering, Brazilian limeade from Tushar Brazilian Express, pizza slices from Brick Oven and more.

The winners of the Taste of South Jordan Contest were: best bite award went to R&R BBQ, with the runner-up award to Market Street Grill. The best Dessert went to Copper Edge Catering, with runner-up award to Harmons and finally, the best overall taste went to Market Street Grill with the runner-up going to Riced.