WAYNE-SANDERSON FARMS WINGS TO FLY OFF THE GRILL AT HUNTSVILLE’S 15TH “BATTLE OF THE BUFFALO” WING FESTIVAL
The nation’s third largest poultry producer supports annual fundraising event for cancer research
HUNTSVILLE, Al.
With five tons of fresh chicken wings from Wayne-Sanderson Farms on the menu, the stage is set for Huntsville’s annual “Battle of the Buffalo” festival and charity fundraiser on April 13. Hosted at Big Spring Park, the annual philanthropic chicken wing festival invites chefs, restaurants and amateur wing-masters from across the region to compete in a contest for the best recipe. Proceeds from the event will benefit cancer research and treatments, providing support to those battling cancer in the community.
“This is our third year participating in the Battle of the Buffalo Wing Festival, and we are thrilled to be part of such a wonderful event in the community,” said Jennifer Hurt, field recruiter at Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Decatur complex. “In addition to providing wings for the cook-off competition, our team members are excited to take part in the event, and we expect to have 25-50 volunteers present to help support this worthy cause and our north Alabama neighbors.”
Local personalities and food experts will serve as judges for the “Tastiest Wings in the Tennessee Valley” wing cook-off, and a new “crowd favorite” category will be awarded. Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Corporate Chef Beau Batchelor will be among the judges. As a food scientist and research chef by trade, Batchelor is a wing expert, spending his days formulating new tastes, textures and preparation methods at the company’s Customer Innovation Center in Decatur, Alabama.
“At Wayne-Sanderson Farms, we produce millions of chicken wings for our restaurant and food service customers across the country,” said Batchelor. “As a judge, I will be looking for contestants to serve up something different and exciting, including unique flavors, preparation methods, and sauces that elevate the classic wing we all know and love.”
Over the years, the Huntsville event has raised more than $300,000 for the Russel Hill Cancer Foundation and the Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology. Clearview Cancer Institute is co-sponsoring this year’s event, and all donated funds will benefit cancer research, treatment and financial support for patients in the form of transportation, prescription assistance, and other critical needs.
“Last year was the biggest event ever, so we are ready for a big turnout this year and couldn’t be more excited,” said Grant Hershbine, executive director for this year’s Battle of the Buffalo festival. “This event is critical for local cancer patients, survivors and their families. With the support of Wayne-Sanderson Farms and the community, this is making a real difference.”
The Battle of the Buffalo wing festival will run from noon until 6pm on Saturday, April 13 at Big Spring Park in downtown Huntsville. The traditional 5k Salmon Run will precede the event, beginning at 9am. Admission includes approximately two pounds of chicken wings and a beverage for $15 per ticket if pre-ordered, and $20 if purchased on the day of. The event will include additional food vendors, live music, an inflatable obstacle course, and family-friendly games. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit battleofthebuffalo.org.
About Battle of the Buffalo
Battle of the Buffalo is a non-profit organization that exists to reduce the effects of cancer on families within the communities of Huntsville, Madison County, and the North Alabama area. The organization was founded in 2009 by the brothers of the Theta Pi Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity in honor of their late brother Paul Salmon, who passed away from Leukemia in 2007. Each year, Battle of the Buffalo hosts an annual chicken wing festival and Salmon 5k in Downtown Huntsville to raise awareness of the continuous fight against cancer through treatment, support, and research from Clearview Cancer Institute, Russel Hill Cancer Foundation and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. For more information visit https://battleofthebuffalo.org/.
About Wayne-Sanderson Farms
Wayne-Sanderson Farms is a long-time supporter of community causes throughout the company’s southeastern US operating region. Employee and corporate donations support a variety of national, regional and local charities including Relay for Life and American Cancer Society fundraisers like the Huntsville Wing Festival and Decatur’s Relay for Life Golf Tournament benefitting the American Cancer Society. Wayne-Sanderson Farms is an industry leader and the nation’s third-largest poultry producer, serving customers, consumers and communities with integrity, leadership and responsible farm, workplace and business practices. With a diverse portfolio of products, a strong operating culture, and an industry-leading workforce of more than 26,000 people, Wayne-Sanderson Farms owns and operates 23 fresh and further-processing facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas. Wayne-Sanderson Farms produces affordable, high-quality poultry products for retail, foodservice, restaurant, industrial and institutional segments under the brand names of WAYNE FARMS® fresh and prepared chicken; SANDERSON FARMS® fresh chicken; COVINGTON FARMS® fresh and frozen chicken; PLATINUM HARVEST® premium fresh chicken; CHEF’S CRAFT® gourmet chicken; and NAKED TRUTH® premium chicken. For more information visit our website at http://www.waynesandersonfarms.com