The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

According to the US Department of Agriculture, hunger affects more than 38 million Americans. To help fight this problem, 35 mums from the PFPMA are taking part in the 'NFL Moms Tackling Hunger with Chunky Soup' programme – a friendly competition among mums of NFL players, where they'll strive to raise as many food donations as possible for their local communities.

Beginning in September 2008, each mum will receive 500 cans of Campbell's Chunky soup to kick-start their campaigns. The mums will work together with local Feeding America food banks in their hometowns to encourage other members of the community to help tackle hunger.

At the end of the season, the three mums who generate the most donations for their local food banks will receive a trip to Tampa during the week of Super Bowl XLIII, where they'll help to announce a donation of one million cans of Campbell's soups to Feeding America food banks nationwide.

The group of mums will be led by one of the most recognisable 'Team Moms' in all sports, Wilma McNabb, mother of Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback, Donovan McNabb.

"One of the guiding principals of the PFPMA is to help the less fortunate in our communities," said McNabb, president of the PFPMA. "We're honoured to partner with organisations like the Campbell Soup Company and Feeding America, who share the same core values. No one should ever go hungry, and with the help of our hometown friends, we're ensuring that people in need in our communities will receive nourishing soups."

Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America, said: "We're extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the Campbell Soup Company, the NFL and the PFPMA. We wouldn't be able to continue our effort in feeding more than 25 million hungry people each year, including nearly nine million children and three million seniors, without this type of support."

Source: Campbell's