This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Win-Win Tailgate Strategies for the Local Games

Huddling around the tailgate can do more than rally team spirit. Kraft Foods and Food Network chefs, the Neelys, have kicked-off its Huddle to Fight Hunger program, a nationwide promotion that provides meals for the hungry via tailgating awareness.

Don’t have a ticket or a parking space to tailgate at a Rams game? No worries. Pack up the goodies and support the Cougars or the Lindbergh High School Flyers, where the gridiron action makes for great tailgating.

To plan that tailgate bash, begin by selecting recipes that promise to score big with fans. Foods that are easy to make and easy to eat. Once you have the menu in place, think food safety. Tailgating is the ultimate picnic, so the same rules for dining tailgate al fresco. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Keep cold foods at 40 degrees F or lower and hot foods at 140 degrees F and above to avoid foodborne illness.

A good solution for transporting foods is to use insulated carrying cases with hot and cold packs. Also keep cooked and uncooked foods in separate containers.

Find out what's happening in Affton-Shrewsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Don’t forget to bring a table and tablecloth, disposable plates, cups, silverware, paper towels and any utensils or kitchen tools you might need to serve or cook with. If grilling raw meat, bring a set of tools for cooking and an extra set for serving. This will help prevent cross-contamination.

Food should be ready at least an hour-and-a-half before the game starts so you and your guests will have time to enjoy, eat and clean up before the game. When cleaning up, put away any leftovers, throw away all your trash and safely dispose of any hot coals in your grill. Bring your own trash bags and some water for clean up.

Find out what's happening in Affton-Shrewsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During this year's football season, Kraft Foods is once again sponsoring Huddle to Fight Hunger on Facebook. For every "like" at on its Facebook page, Kraft Foods will donate one meal to Feeding America. The goal for this year is to provide 25 million meals, which would top last year's tally of 20 million. It's a win-win for everyone.

Food Network celebrity chefs Pat and Gina Neely have teamed up with Kraft Foods and the Huddle to Fight Hunger campaign and created a group of recipes designed to help you score big at your next tailgate party. Huddle to Fight Hunger’s goal is to bring awareness and help provide meals to the more than 50 million Americans (that's 1 in 6) who live in food insecure households. For more information on how to help the Neely’s spread the Huddle for Hunger message visit Kraft Fight Hunger on Facebook.

See related article: Recipes Fit For a Tailgate Party.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Affton-Shrewsbury