Food and Beverage
UNCLE NEAREST LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO RAISE $1 MILLION FOR UNDERFUNDED HBCU
The Black-Owned and Led Whiskey Company Will Raise Funds Through Sales of Bottles and Its Most-Ordered Cocktail, the Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the top-selling Black-owned spirits brand in the world, announced the launch of its HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge, a nationwide initiative to raise $1 million dollars for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Kicked off on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and extending through Black History Month and Women’s History Month in February and March, respectively, the program will raise money to be distributed amongst the country’s top 58 ranked HBCUs to use as they see fit.
Through the HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge, Uncle Nearest not only aims to raise money for these institutions, but to shine a light on their contributions to workforce diversity and the role they play in economic mobility. HBCUs make up less than 3% of college institutions, but they enroll 10% of all African American students, and produce almost 20% of all African American graduates. These graduates have gone on to hold high income jobs, making up 40% of Black judges, 50% of Black doctors and lawyers, and 40% of Black engineers. Underfunding of HBCUs leads to lower graduation rates due to student debt and lack of resources, as well as causes understaffing and underrepresentation of Black faculty members.
“Many have opinions about Deion Sanders’ decision to move from Jackson State, an HBCU, to Colorado. I will tell you what I know to be true: Coach Prime put a much-needed spotlight on how HBCU programs can compete if they are properly funded,” said Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest. “He showed us what one person with influence, shining a light on HBCUs, can do to help. Enrollment in HBCUs grew tremendously after Beyonce’s 2019 film, Homecoming. I am certainly no Beyonce, but I have a spotlight on me, and it’s my greatest honor to be able to shift that spotlight where it should be – on our incredible Historically Black Colleges and Universities. When I reached out to share this program, so many of them asked me, ‘What can we do to help?’ I told each of them that I didn’t want them to do anything. It’s our turn to be torchbearers and give back, asking nothing in return.”
The launch date of the Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned Challenge on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, was strategically chosen to spotlight the legacy of HBCUs in the life of one of our greatest American leaders. At the age of 15, following in the footsteps of his father Martin Luther King, Sr., MLK Jr. enrolled at Morehouse College, a historically Black, men’s liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia. Both MLK Jr. and Sr. received their undergraduate degrees from Morehouse. The Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned Challenge extends through Women’s History Month as an homage to Spelman College, a historically Black women’s college and the number one ranked HBCU in America.
From January 16 to March 31, 2023, consumers will be able to participate in the challenge in one of four ways:
- For every Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned sold at participating bars and restaurants, one dollar will be donated to the challenge.
- Uncle Nearest will donate one dollar for each bottle of whiskey sold at participating online and brick-and-mortar retail stores.
- ReserveBar will sell Old Fashioned Cocktail Kits, featuring a bottle of Uncle Nearest as well as syrup and bitters from Hella Cocktail Co., the Black-owned bitters and soda company. For every kit sold, both Uncle Nearest and ReserveBar will donate one dollar to the challenge.
- During the time period, brand fans can also submit a photo of a homemade Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned at www.oldfashionedcocktail.com. Uncle Nearest will donate one dollar for each image received.
“As a proud Morehouse Man and member of Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, I’m honored and grateful to work for a company where I didn’t need to go to the leader and say HBCUs need our help,” said W. Jay Madison, IV, Director of Legacy and Strategic Partnerships for Uncle Nearest. “Fawn came to me and said, ‘We have to do something.’ Every one of my team members immediately embraced the mission of this initiative, and our distributors, retail stores and outlets, restaurant, hotel, and bar partners came on board. One million dollars is just the beginning. We expect to see this program get bigger and even better every year, and our hope is other corporations will join with their own initiatives to support HBCUs.”
For more information on the HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge, including a list of participating bars, restaurants, and retailers, and to follow along on the road to $1 million raised, please visit www.oldfashionedcocktail.com.
About Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the world’s first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. It was the first spirits brand in the world to be named after a Black American. The portfolio is the Most Awarded Bourbon and American Whiskey of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, with over 600 awards and accolades since the brand’s 2017 launch, including 406 Gold medals or higher, 71 Best in Class honors and an average critic’s score of 92. Uncle Nearest is currently sold in all 50 states and 12 countries, and is sold in more than 25,000 stores, bars, hotels, restaurants, as well as at its 323-acre Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn. For more information, please visit the Uncle Nearest website, and follow on Instagram and Facebook @unclenearest.
SOURCE Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
recipes
Top Tender Chicken with a Creamy Dressing for a Light, Refreshing Meal
On those days when you’re craving something fresh and don’t feel like doing a lot of cooking, salads are the ideal solution. This Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad unites savory, sweet, tangy and creamy flavors in a single bowl.
Top Tender Chicken with a Creamy Dressing for a Light, Refreshing Meal
(Feature Impact) On those days when you’re craving something fresh and don’t feel like doing a lot of cooking, salads are the ideal solution. They’re nutritious, easy to throw together and endlessly customizable so you can make them with the ingredients you have to suit the flavor profiles you prefer.
This Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad unites savory, sweet, tangy and creamy flavors in a single bowl. Crisp lettuce and tender spinach bring leafy green nutrients to the base of each salad. The juicy, slightly charred grilled chicken is seasoned, smoky and a good source of lean protein. Avocado slices, Greek yogurt and olive oil add rich, creamy textures and healthy fats, while cucumbers make each bite refreshing. Apple slices and grapes lend natural sweetness that complement the tangy honey-mustard dressing.
Light enough for lunch but filling enough for dinner, it’s a versatile salad packed with vegetables, fruits, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Make the recipe your own by switching to a different dressing or tossing in bonus toppings like walnuts, dried cranberries or cherry tomatoes. Plant-based home chefs can adapt by swapping to a different protein like tofu, tempeh or chickpeas and using non-dairy yogurt for the dressing.
Find more light yet filling salad solutions by visiting Culinary.net.
Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad
Recipe adapted from Delish
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (8 ounces each)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 romaine hearts, chopped
- 3 cups spinach
- 2 avocados, thinly sliced
- 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 cup grapes, halved
Creamy Honey-Dijon Dressing:
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. In medium bowl, sprinkle chicken with oregano, coriander and salt and pepper, to taste. Add oil then toss to coat.
- Grill chicken, covered, about 8 minutes per side, until slightly charred and registering 165 F on thermometer inserted into thickest part. Transfer to cutting board, let rest 5 minutes then thinly slice.
- Divide romaine, spinach, avocados, cucumbers, apples and grapes among bowls. Top with chicken.
- To make dressing: Whisk Greek yogurt, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and serve.
SOURCE:
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(Feature Impact) Weeknights often feel like a race against the clock. Busy families feel the squeeze from school pickups, homework and social commitments, but dinner remains one of the few opportunities for everyone to slow down, reconnect and share important moments together at the close of a hectic day.
With a little planning and convenient ingredients like Little Potatoes – which come pre-washed, require no peeling and are small enough that they don’t need to be cut – families can spend less time in the kitchen and more time at the table.
For example, The Little Potato Company’s new A Little Homestyle Ranch Microwave Ready Kit serves up a favorite flavor in an easy-to-prepare side dish your whole family will love. Simply pop the steamable tray into the microwave for 5 minutes, sprinkle on the included ranch seasoning pack and enjoy without any prep or cleanup.
They’re also a perfect foundation for this easy, all-in-one Sheet Pan Chicken and Little Potatoes recipe. It’s ideal for busy weeknights as a balanced, flavorful meal that requires just 10 minutes of prep and minimal cleanup. Plus, you can customize with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice for extra zest.
If you’re in search of a simple side dish that can accompany a variety of family favorites, these flavor-filled Ranch Green Beans and Little Potatoes with Bacon are a great fit for a backyard barbecue or casual evening with your nearest and dearest.
To find more ways to bring loved ones together at the table throughout the school year, visit LittlePotatoes.com.
Sheet Pan Chicken and Little Potatoes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30-35 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 1/2 pounds Little Potatoes
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 red onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2-3 teaspoons of your favorite seasoning blend
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)
- lemon wedges (optional)
- Preheat oven to 400 F and line baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Slice Little Potatoes in half. Slice broccoli florets, bell pepper and onion into bite-sized pieces.
- In mixing bowl, toss veggies with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1-1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning.
- Spread veggies evenly on baking sheet.
- In same bowl, add chicken, remaining seasoning and remaining olive oil. Toss to combine then place chicken between veggies in single layer.
- Roast 30-35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through to internal temperature of 165 F and potatoes are tender. Flip veggies and chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Let chicken rest 2-3 minutes. Divide Little Potatoes, veggies and chicken into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
Ranch Green Beans and Little Potatoes with Bacon
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
- 1 package maple bacon
- 1/2 pound fresh string beans, washed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 package A Little Homestyle Ranch Microwave Ready Kit
- On stovetop, cook bacon until crispy, reserving 1/4 cup bacon grease. Crumble bacon and set aside.
- In same pan, add fresh string beans, bacon grease, olive oil, garlic powder and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Saute until soft.
- Peel back plastic on potatoes kit and microwave 5 minutes.
- Let potatoes cool 1-2 minutes and spread ranch seasoning over potatoes followed by bacon and string beans.
SOURCE:
🍴 What’s your favorite food, recipe, or dining spot? Tell us in the comments! Then subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter for fresh recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and delicious stories delivered straight to your inbox. Join our growing community of food lovers today!
Foodie News
Taco Bell Turns Back the Clock With Four Fan-Favorite Menu Items
Taco Bell is bringing back four customer favorites with its 2016-inspired Decades Menu: the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Beefy Crunch Burrito, Meximelt and Caramel Apple Empanada. Here is what to know about prices, availability and special rewards offers.
Taco Bell is serving up a taste of 2016 with the nationwide return of four nostalgic favorites, including the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Beefy Crunch Burrito, Meximelt and Caramel Apple Empanada.
The limited-time lineup, officially called the Decades #TBTB Menu, arrived at participating Taco Bell restaurants nationwide on August 20. It marks the third installment of the chain’s Decades Menu campaign, which brings discontinued and memorable items back for another run.
Four familiar favorites return
Leading the 2016-inspired menu is the Naked Chicken Chalupa. Instead of a traditional tortilla, the item uses a crispy, seasoned all-white-meat chicken shell filled with cheddar cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes and Avocado Ranch Sauce.
The Naked Chicken Chalupa is priced at a suggested $5.99. It is also included in a $9 Discovery Luxe Box with a Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, Crunchy Taco, chips and nacho cheese sauce, and a medium fountain drink.
Also returning is the Beefy Crunch Burrito, a longtime fan favorite filled with seasoned beef, seasoned rice, reduced-fat sour cream, nacho cheese sauce and Flamin’ Hot Fritos. The burrito carries a suggested price of $2.79.
The Meximelt is back as well, combining seasoned beef, pico de gallo and a melted three-cheese blend inside a soft flour tortilla. Its suggested price is $2.99.
For dessert, Taco Bell has revived the Caramel Apple Empanada. The crispy pastry features warm apple pieces and caramel filling and is available for a suggested $2.99.
More than a menu revival
Taco Bell is leaning heavily into mid-2010s nostalgia beyond the food. The company is partnering with Anti Social Social Club, screen-free digital camera company Camp Snap and Divine, a six-second looping video platform inspired by the spirit of Vine.
On August 25, Taco Bell Rewards members will have an opportunity to enter a limited-time Tuesday Drop sweepstakes featuring 500 “2016 Starter Packs.” Each package includes a flannel shirt, cap and Camp Snap point-and-shoot digital camera.
Rewards members can also participate in an in-app scavenger hunt offering exclusive deals over three weeks, with a new offer scheduled each week between August 25 and September 14.
“For decades, Taco Bell has been woven into the lives of our fans, and there’s something special about revisiting the moments and experiences that made 2016 distinctly memorable,” Taco Bell North America Chief Marketing Officer Luis Restrepo said in the company’s announcement.
Available for a limited time
The four returning items are available at participating U.S. Taco Bell restaurants for a limited time and while supplies last. Prices and participation may vary by location, and delivery orders may cost more.
For longtime customers, the promotion offers another opportunity to revisit some familiar flavors. For younger diners, it is a chance to discover why items such as the Beefy Crunch Burrito and Caramel Apple Empanada developed such loyal followings.
Which returning Taco Bell favorite would you order first? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter for more food, restaurant and consumer news.
Source: Taco Bell Corp. press release, August 18, 2026.
Taco Bell Newsroom: Taco Bell Brings the 2016 Vibes Back to Fans Nationwide With Decades #TBTB Menu
Related links
- Taco Bell Official Website
- Taco Bell Rewards Program
- Taco Bell Mobile App
- Taco Bell Rewards Drops
- Divine Announces Public Launch and Taco Bell Collaboration
🍽️ Love discovering great food and drink? Join the conversation! Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter for the latest recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and culinary stories delivered straight to your inbox.
