Mimi's Cafe® "Soup To-Go" program supports hunger relief year-round

IRVINE, Calif., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- One in six Americans are at risk of hunger, according to USDA's Economic Research Service.  In response, Mimi's Cafe is taking its mission to help fight hunger a step further by launching an ongoing hunger relief initiative in association with Food Donation Connection ("FDC") – a national network that connects restaurants and food service companies with 7,600 local charities. 

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120514/NE07123 )

Mimi's Cafe will donate a quarter for every quart of "Soup To-Go" sold at all 145 locations to local hunger relief programs*. Guests will not only get to enjoy one of Mimi's delicious soups for $5 or $6 by the quart, a portion of the proceeds will go to help enrich the lives of those less fortunate in local neighborhoods. The "Soup To-Go" selections range from Roasted Tomato Basil ($5) to any of Mimi's famous soups, such as Cafe Corn Chowder and French Onion Soup for $1 more.  Mimi's currently donates prepared food to these same agencies each day through FDC's Harvest program. To date, Mimi's has donated the equivalent of 146,000 meals and raised nearly $23,000 in the first six weeks of the "Soup To-Go" program.

"At Mimi's Cafe, we believe in giving back to the communities we serve; in fact, it is an integral part of our culture," explains Mark Mears, Mimi's President and Chief Concept Officer.  "Hunger knows no season, and with millions of Americans at risk of hunger, we want to ensure we do our part to help.  In addition to our existing food donation program, we felt it was important to support local hunger-relief agencies through fundraising efforts, and we will soon announce a third level of involvement through both restaurant team member and guest volunteer opportunities."

To inform guests about an initiative that hits home, Mimi's Cafe has set up table tents that include a special QR code. Guests can simply scan the QR code with their mobile devices to learn more about the program, or visit www.mimiscafe.com/hunger for information and a list of local agencies.

"Mimi's Cafe came to us wanting to help our agencies even more," said Steve Dietz, Business Development Director of Food Donation Connection. "It says so much about Mimi's, and we're fully committed to helping Mimi's realize its goal and expand its relationship with local agencies in getting much needed food to individuals and families in need."

To learn more about Mimi's Cafe and the "Soup To-Go" hunger relief program, please visit Mimiscafe.com, facebook.com/mimiscafe or twitter.com/mimis_cafe.  Mimi's is dedicated to giving back to its community and helping provide hope for the hungry.

ABOUT MIMI'S CAFE
Mimi's Cafe, a French-inspired casual dining restaurant has 145 locations in 24 states. Mimi's Cafe is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bob Evans Farms, Inc., a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: BOBE), known and loved for its delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, friendly service and charming, stylish decor.

ABOUT FOOD DONATION CONNECTION
Food Donation Connection ("FDC") is the industry leader in coordinating surplus prepared food donation programs. FDC currently manages programs for nearly 15,000 Restaurants and other Food Service partners getting much needed food to 7,600 food relief agencies throughout the US and Canada. Since 1992, FDC has coordinated the donation of over 230 million pounds of surplus prepared food to those in need.  Food Donation Connection is based out of Knoxville, TN.

*Up to $145,000 annual donation

SOURCE Mimi's Cafe