Hungry Jack® and Celebrity Chef Adam Gertler Challenge Americans to Put Down the Shopping List and 'Use up the Box'

ORRVILLE, Ohio, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Who says a box of pancake mix can only make pancakes? Hungry Jack®, the makers of Mashed Potatoes, Pancake Mix and Syrup has teamed up with celebrity chef Adam Gertler – host of Food Network's new show Kid in a Candy Store – to help at-home cooks add creativity to their meals and save money by thinking "outside the box." Starting today through December 17, 2010, Hungry Jack and Chef Gertler challenge consumers to put down their shopping lists and look in their pantries for a world of creative recipe inspiration in the Hungry Jack Use Up the Box Recipe Contest.

Home cooks can submit an original recipe in one of three categories using at least 1 cup of Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes, 1 cup of Hungry Jack Pancake Mix or 1/4 cup of Hungry Jack Syrup as ingredients at www.useupthebox.com or via regular mail. Three Grand Prize Winners in each of the categories will receive a year's worth of groceries.

According to a survey conducted by Kelton Research on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company, one in three (31%) Americans said they never use a food product outside of its intended use, and eight in ten (77%) admit to throwing away pantry items they fail to use up.*  Across America, households stock their pantries with instant potatoes, pancake mix, peanut butter, syrup, and cereal that can often serve double duty in the kitchen, saving moms time and money and helping them maximize mealtime potential.

"The great taste and versatility of Hungry Jack products let a home cook flex his or her creativity in the kitchen and make a hungry family a happy family," said Chef Gertler.  "I encourage everyone to skip that extra trip to the grocery store and think outside the box to use up the items in your pantry.  The unique dishes you create will delight you and your family!"

Families count on Hungry Jack for great-tasting potatoes and fluffy pancakes with syrup, but all three staples can be used as ingredients in delicious dishes, such as Chef Gertler's:

• Doughnut Bites with Bacon Sugar – make these irresistible treats at home for an unforgettable weekend family brunch with Hungry Jack Pancake Mix.
• Beef Stew with Herbed Potato Dumplings – two classic dishes combine in this hearty, crowd-pleasing one-pot meal featuring Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes.
• Chicken Wings with Sweet Chili Glaze – add a sweet kick to game day nibbles by topping classic chicken wings with a sweet and spicy glaze featuring Hungry Jack Syrup.
• Green Enchiladas – give turkey or chicken leftovers new life by using Hungry Jack Pancake Mix to create a unique enchilada dish guaranteed to please any crowd.
• Spiced Mocha Fudge Cake – Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes are the secret behind this super moist, fudgy cake.
• Spinach Salad with Warm Mustard Vinaigrette – whip up a sweet and savory salad dressing with help from Hungry Jack Syrup.

"Mealtime can often be a challenge for busy families across America, but with a little creativity, putting meals on the table that the whole family will enjoy doesn't have to cost a lot of money," said Maribeth Badertscher, Vice President, Corporate Communications, The J.M. Smucker Company. "By learning how to maximize pantry staples like Hungry Jack Pancake Mix, Mashed Potatoes, and Syrup, the options are endless."

The Hungry Jack Use Up the Box Recipe Contest begins September 13, 2010 and ends December 17, 2010 and is open to US residents over 18 years of age.  Void where prohibited.  For complete details and Official Rules, visit www.useupthebox.com.

* The survey was conducted by Kelton Research on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company in August 2009.

In March of 2010, The J. M. Smucker Company announced the sale of and a licensing agreement for Hungry Jack brand potato products to Basic American Foods.  The licensing agreement for Hungry Jack potato products allows Basic American Foods to build on its already successful foodservice business by extending into the retail channel.

About The J. M. Smucker Company

For more than 110 years, The J.M. Smucker Company has been committed to offering consumers quality products that help families create memorable mealtime moments.  Today, Smucker is a leading marketer and manufacturer of fruit spreads, retail packaged coffee, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, sweetened condensed milk, and health and natural foods beverages in North America. Its family of brands includes Smucker's®, Folgers®, Dunkin' Donuts®, Jif®, Crisco®, Pillsbury®, Eagle Brand®, R.W. Knudsen Family®, Hungry Jack®, White Lily® and Martha White® in the United States, along with Robin Hood®, Five Roses®, Carnation®, Europe's Best® and Bick's® in Canada. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. The Company has appeared on FORTUNE Magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the United States 12 times, ranking number one in 2004. For more information about the Company, visit www.smuckers.com.

The J.M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks, except Pillsbury is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, LLC, used under license; Carnation is a trademark of Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., used under license; and Dunkin' Donuts is a registered trademark of DD IP Holder, LLC, used under license.

About Basic American Foods

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California and privately held, Basic American Foods is one of the world's leading suppliers of convenience food products, including dry potato and bean products. Founded more than 75 years ago, Basic American Foods serves foodservice distributors, commercial and non-commercial foodservice operators, industrial, wholesale club, and retail customers in domestic and international markets. For more information visit www.baf.com.

SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Company; Basic American Foods