New York Mets and Coca-Cola Announce Winners of Local Food Truck Competition
The New York Mets, in partnership with Coca-Cola, have unveiled the winners of the inaugural “Taste of Queens” food truck competition — a program supporting local culinary entrepreneurs by showcasing diverse flavors from Queens, one of New York City’s most ethnically rich boroughs. Three standout small businesses were selected for their distinctive offerings, earning not only prime exposure but also valuable marketing support from the Mets and Coca-Cola.
The winning food trucks — Caribbean Street Eats, Dilenas Dolcini, and Yankee Doodle Dandy’s — will now have the opportunity to vend outside Citi Field for select Mets home games this season. As part of the activation, each winner benefits from promotional visibility, increased foot traffic, and alignment with two iconic brands committed to uplifting local businesses.
Launched during the Mets’ 2024 season, the “Taste of Queens” initiative attracted dozens of applicants, reflecting the borough’s vibrant food scene. Entries were judged on criteria including food quality, brand story, business potential, and community impact. The three chosen vendors represent a broad spectrum of regional cuisine: Caribbean fusion from Caribbean Street Eats, artisanal Italian desserts by Dilenas Dolcini, and American comfort food served with a twist from Yankee Doodle Dandy’s.
This program underscores a strategic trend in FMCG and hospitality partnerships—leveraging sports platforms and consumer beverage brands to drive experiential marketing and deepen regional engagement. For Coca-Cola, the collaboration aligns with its long-standing legacy of local community support paired with consumer-first branding. For the Mets, it enriches the fan experience while supporting neighborhood entrepreneurship.
Industry professionals should note the value of such hyper-local activations in boosting brand equity. By integrating local businesses into mass entertainment touchpoints like sports venues, companies can tap into authentic consumer connections while contributing to grassroots economic growth.
The participating food trucks will rotate at select Mets home games throughout the 2024 season. With beverage and snack pairings forming a core part of sports hospitality, this initiative provides a scalable model for other FMCG players aiming to localize their marketing and community outreach strategies.