The North Texas Food Bank’s annual culinary fundraiser takes place April 17 at The Star

One of North Texas’ most impactful food-focused events is returning to Frisco this spring. The North Texas Food Bank will host its annual Taste! At The Star fundraiser on April 17 at the Ford Center at The Star, bringing together local restaurants, community leaders and supporters for an evening centered on addressing childhood hunger across the region.

Presented by Tyson Foods, the event blends a culinary experience with a larger mission: helping ensure children across North Texas have consistent access to nutritious meals.

A Culinary Event With A Larger Purpose

Originally launched as Taste of the Cowboys, the event has evolved into one of the region’s premier culinary fundraisers. Guests can expect an evening built around tastings from leading local restaurants, along with live entertainment and auction experiences, all designed to support the North Texas Food Bank’s Nourish the Future programs.

Those programs focus on providing children facing food insecurity with reliable access to nutritious meals, helping support both their health and their ability to succeed in school.

“Serving as co-chair for Taste! At The Star is a meaningful opportunity to bring our community together around a critical need,” said Janet Ryan, co-chair of the event. “When children have reliable access to nutritious food, they can focus on learning, growing and reaching their potential.”

Why It Matters In North Texas

While the event offers a high-energy, food-forward experience, the issue it supports remains urgent. Across the 12 counties served by the North Texas Food Bank, one in five children faces food insecurity, with more than 254,000 children in the region unsure where their next meal will come from.

Texas continues to rank among the highest in the nation for food insecurity, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area ranks among the top metro areas affected.

The Impact Behind Each Ticket

Funds raised during Taste! At The Star directly supports programs that deliver meals through schools, food pantries and community partners. According to the North Texas Food Bank, last year’s event helped provide access to more than 2.5 million meals for families in need.

Over the past year alone, the organization has provided access to more than 41 million meals for children, including:


More than 2.6 million meals distributed through its School Pantry Program
Nearly 720,000 meals delivered through its Food 4 Kids backpack initiative
Weekly support reaching more than 5,500 children across 250 schools

“Our vision is a hunger-free, healthy North Texas,” said Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the organization. “Every ticket purchased helps us continue that impact.”

What To Know Before You Go

Taste! At The Star will take place April 17 at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco.

The event is expected to draw a large crowd, combining a high-end tasting experience with a strong philanthropic focus. Tickets and additional event details are available through the North Texas Food Bank.

For attendees, it offers a chance to experience some of the region’s top culinary talent, while contributing to a cause that continues to affect thousands of families across North Texas.

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