Indiana Pork, TinCaps donate meals to food bank

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne TinCaps and Indiana Pork donated more than 2,000 meals, including more than 500 pounds of ground pork, to the Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana.

The Minor League Baseball team sold 2,004 tenderloin sandwiches at Parkview Field Aug. 3-6 during the Hoosier State Tenderloins Series presented by Indiana Pork.

For each sandwich sold, a meal of ground pork was donated to help members of the community.

“We’re delighted to have a partnership that results in so much good for our community,” said Michael Limmer, TinCaps vice president of marketing and promotions.

“We’re proud that a fun and silly name and idea has translated into the opportunity to provide more than 2,000 meals for local families in need.”

Indiana is the fifth-largest pork-producing state in the United States with nearly 3,000 Hoosier pig farmers.

“Indiana pig farmers are always happy to feed our neighbors,” said Jeanette Merritt, Indiana Pork communications director.

“Our farmers are happy to donate pork to their local food pantries and are equally excited to partner with the TinCaps to make a big donation to help feed Fort Wayne residents.”

The TinCaps not only featured breaded tenderloins on the Parkview Field menu, but rebranded as the Hoosier State Tenderloins with uniforms and in-game promotions.

The Hoosier State Tenderloins were named one of eight finalists for Minor League Baseball’s “Best Alternate Identity.” The jersey and hat were featured on national TV on MLB Network during an awards show.

While the breaded tenderloin sandwich is revered around the Hoosier State, it originated in northeast Indiana, not far from Parkview Field.

Just 25 miles southeast of the ballpark in downtown Huntington, Nick’s Kitchen has been treating customers to tasty tenderloin sandwiches since 1908.

Now, Nick’s is the first stop on what has been named the Tenderloin Trail that weaves throughout the state all the way down to Evansville.