Popcorn Fund Raising for Fun and Profit

Baseball's a wonderful sport, and Little League is a great way to get kids involved in it. However, like everything, Little League costs money, from uniforms to travel costs, if you're lucky enough to get on a travel team. A fund-raiser is a great way to raise money, and a popcorn fund-raiser could be just the way to go.

Take me out to the ball game...

Why a popcorn fund-raiser? For one, popcorn is easy and relatively inexpensive to make. For another, it's a more healthful snack for kids, so parents won't feel guilty about buying it. You can even sell it in little plastic megaphones with team logos for extra team spirit.

As if that weren't enough, buying a popcorn machine is only an expense for the first year. The machine can then be reused year after year for other fund-raisers, which considerably lessens your expense for future fund-raisers.

If your interest is piqued, here are a few fund-raising tips to get you going.

Getting started

Two of the most important things you need to do before you start anything with a fund-raiser is set a goal and set a deadline. How much money are you trying to raise? Why do you need to raise it? And when do you need it by?

You can use this information to properly plan your fund-raising strategy, and to motivate the kids and other people helping with the fund raising. Remind them that if they sell X amount of popcorn by X date, they'll be able to get new uniforms or pay to go to that tournament an hour away.

Hit the big time

Most people look to family, friends, coworkers and neighbors when they're doing a fund-raising campaign, right? That's all well and good, but open your eyes to the other places you could be selling.

Little League games are great, not only because the people there will be more likely to care about your cause, but also because popcorn is a fantastic snack when you're watching a baseball game. However, that's not the only place you should try to hit.

What are some major retail locations in your area? Do you live near a mall? How about a home improvement store or a grocery store? Or can you get clearance to set up at a bulk retailer like Wal-Mart? These are places where hundreds of people go, especially on weekends and right after pay day. Setting up a fund-raiser at one of these places could help you reach your goals in no time at all. Just make sure you have permission first.

Get your pitch down

Although popcorn is delicious and kids are cute, it is pretty difficult to get people to part with their hard-earned money. Have a loose pitch prepared about who you are, why you're raising money, and what the potential donor is getting by helping you. Make a list of talking points to help out your other "salespeople."

You have to talk a good game to get the money you need, and if you take the time to jot out what needs to be mentioned, your chances of getting a sale get a lot higher.

Put the "fun" back into "fund raising"

With a little planning and a good product, your Little League fund-raiser can be a smashing success. Don't hesitate to start your own popcorn fund-raiser today.

Since opening its virtual doors in 2005, liquidationconnect.com has earned a reputation for providing fun, unique products. Liquidation Connect deals directly with the manufacturers and distributors to deliver the highest quality products at the lowest prices. For more information about fund-raising, or to order your own popcorn machine, visit LiquidationConnect.com.

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The Popcorn Diet Plan - Would You Like Butter On It?

By Terry Edwards

You just have to love all of these fad diet plans. There have been some real winners come down the line, and the "Popcorn Diet Plan" is yet another example.

We've seen the Cabbage Soup diet plan, Special K diet plan, and we get the Popcorn diet plan. Perhaps they should add a free DVD movie rental with it. Isn't that the mental image you get when you think of this type of diet plan?

So, what does this diet plan include? You know it has to be more than just eating popcorn all day.

The Popcorn diet plan is actually similar to all other diets; you change your eating habits to include more nutritious foods and vegetables, get regular exercise and limit portion sizes. The thing is, that will help you lose weight regardless. That's just sound advice.

Where does the popcorn come in? That is what you have between meals as a snack.

What kind of popcorn can you have? The popcorn diet plan calls for popcorn that has no butter and no salt. In other words, it's not the type of popcorn you will enjoy eating for any length of time.

And therein lays the problem with these specific food diets. Regardless whether it's popcorn, Special K cereal, cabbage soup, etc. The all become hard to swallow in a quick amount of time. Eating these foods morning, noon, and night will drive you nuts after a few days.

The biggest question you should ask yourself with any diet plan is; is this diet a long term solution? Will I want to be on it a month from now? I'm sorry to say, but the Popcorn diet plan is not a long term weight loss solution. Although it's great for a movie night at the house.

By the way, you can learn more about How To Lose Weight as well as see the results from the plan I've been on and much more information on weight loss on my blog at http://www.FatLoss4IdiotsReview.net

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What’s Missing in Your Home Theatre? A Popcorn Machine!

You've been dreaming about a nice Home Theater for a long time. A place to finally watch all of the movies you want, at your convenience, and in the comfort of your own home. Of course you just dropped several thousand dollars on a new HDTV digital projector, another $500 on a screen, and what you spent on the sound system could have put an addition onto the house. With that kind of spending you would expect everything to be just right, but theres something missing.

Why, after coming so close to perfection in your movie experience, would you settle for plain microwave popcorn? Would you use your new setup to watch Jaws without the shark? What about Lord of the Rings without the ring? There are just some parts of the movie expeience that one simply cannot do without.

The popcorn prepared fresh from your own popcorn machine is all you need to complete your setup. is it just another gimmick by those fat cat theatre owners to pinch another penny out of the movie viewers pocket? Certainly not. Unlike other improvements in some of the products you might have found at the concession stand, there is actual noticeable difference in what you will be eating.

All seeds are categorized by size, shape (mushroom and the butterfly), and color, but the real trick to making the best popcorn comes in preparation. The microwave variety obviously wins a matchup in speed over actual popcorn machine, but what is the trade off? What you are losing in flavor may not be worth the extra couple of minutes you save in your movie night. Whats the rush anyway? If its a rental theres bound to be 20 or 30 minutes of previews anyway.

Naturally high in fiber, low in calories, free of fat, sugar, and sodium, popcorn is a healthy and enjoyable treat. However, microwaveable popcorn may contain plenty of additional seasonings and preservatives. Having your own kettle, you have control over your own popcorn and exactly what is going into the popcorn machines.

So dont waste another minute watching a preview for the latest blockbuster. Instead, skip it and prepare yourself a batch of the finest, freshest homemade popcorn you can find in your very own popcorn machine, and be sure to get it from CONCESSIONOBSESSION.

ENJOY.

Pop, Popper Your Popcorn Maker

By: David H. Urmann

Popcorn maker that is also called popcorn machine is a device used to pop popcorn. It was usually found in movie theaters, amusement parks and carnivals.

During early years there were no popcorn makers, Indians made popcorn by heating sand in a pan and then they put the kernels on the heated sand. Many years later, Charles Creators was the first person to invent the mobile popcorn machine, which is also known as the popcorn maker cart in 1893 in Chicago, Illinois. This machine made it easy for the people to sell the popcorn on the streets and on the amusements parks, which spurred the popularity of popcorn.

The first popcorn maker was steam driven which The Food Service Equipment Division patented in 1885. It allowed the popcorn to be popped in oil, and then later, they had a gas powered popcorn vendors. People began selling popcorn using this machine on the streets, in front of the amusement parks, stores and theaters to attract people to buy popcorn. Percy Spencer from the Raytheon Manufacturing found a way to mass-produce magnetrons to produce microwaves and with this technology, it gave Spencer the idea to make a microwave oven and he used kernels for his experiments. In 1940’s, it allowed the people to make popcorn in their own homes using the microwave; you can enjoy eating popcorn even if you are not on the amusement parks or in cinemas. The Food Processing System divisions grant the exclusive right to market the hot air fluidized bed oven to produce high amounts of popcorn that in 1967.

Today, people are buying old-fashioned popcorn makers to cook delicious popcorn in social events or for one’s own pleasure at the comfort of one’s home. People want to purchase popcorn maker because they may need to make more than cooking a few bags of microwave popcorn. Owning a popcorn machine would be fun for a family and friends to spend some quality time together while watching your favorite programs on TV or movies. Popcorn makers have different types and brands but today, most popcorn makers were run by gas or electricity. Most people usually buy red popcorn machine because it gives out an old fashioned and traditional look to the first ones that were made in the late 1890’s and 1900’s. Popcorn makers have different range of prices depending on the amount of popcorn the machine can produce and if they have cart. There are two types of popcorn makers available for home use, hot air poppers that allow you to make fat and salt free popcorn that is the healthiest way of making popcorn and oil poppers that uses heated oil to cook the popcorn.

You can also check it out your hand at the stovetop popper; this is the long-standing method of popping corn that is still used today and also the most complicated to use because most of the time it might overcook the popcorn you are cooking. There are other models that use electricity and sit on the counter top, which allow you to control the amount of toppings that go into a batch of popcorn, just as you can with an air popper. The popcorn and popcorn makers have become popular that there is a museum of popcorn. This museum is called Wyandot Popcorn Museum, which has many refurbished antique popcorn machines that was invented in the late 1890’s and 1900’s. The Wyandot Popcorn Museum is situated in Marion, Ohio, which unwrapped to the public in September of 1982. W. Hoover Brown and the only popcorn museum in the world founded the museum.

Grow Your Own Popcorn!

By A.l. Castle

Growing your own popcorn is very easy. It does take some soil, site preparation and a little planning. You can use almost any container that will hold soil. Old buckets, planters, or a barrel cut in half. Even bales of hay can be turned into a planter. Simply lay out a square to the size that you want and fill it full of your potting soil. This not only makes a productive planter, but it is unique and decorative as well.

You need to start out by finding a good source for popcorn seeds. Most home improvement stores, discount stores and hardware stores carry a variety of different seeds. Farm stores can be one of the best places for bulk seeds. You can order from one of the many seed suppliers on line also. I look for a good quality seed that produces well. Popcorn seeds come in many different colors and styles. You have your choice of just about any color you would like, as well as the different styles of corn such as mushroom or snowflake.

Once you have your seeds ordered, you need to start on soil preparation. All types of corn are heavy feeders. You need a good potting soil or some compost. I like to use both and mix it half and half . I also add a good 6-6-6 fertilizer in the soil mix. You can incorporate some leaves, grass clippings, horse or cow manure.

Find a nice spot that receives the most sunlight. This is a good place to start your garden. You can direct sow right into the ground or use your containers in that spot. Plant your seeds when the soil temperature is above 65 degrees or your seeds may not germinate. Plant the seeds about 8-10 inches apart. If you are using containers you want them that close so they will pollinate better. If they are planted too far apart, the pollen may not be able to pollinate the cobs very well.

After planting the seeds I like to cover them with a layer of rotten leaves or hay to keep the moisture in. Keep an eye on the moisture level of the soil. It should just be damp, but not full of water. Make sure any containers you use have sufficient holes in the bottom to allow for good drainage.

In a week to 10 days you will see the plants starting to sprout. Keep the moisture level as constant as you can. When the plants are 6-8 inches tall you can plant some beans next to them. This will allow the corn to use the nitrogen the beans put into the soil and the beans will grow up the stalks. This is a good way to use companion planting. It also lets you get more crop out of the same planting space.

When the corn starts reaching it maturity, it will send out tassels. These tassels are used to pollinate the cobs. It should take approximately 2 1/2 to 3 months depending on the variety of corn you are growing. You want to let the cobs remain on the stalk till the moisture levels drop. Let nature do it's job and when the stalks start to dry out it's time to check on the corn kernels. The easiest way to test them is by taking a few random kernels and seeing how long it takes them to pop.When the correct moisture level is achieved, the kernels will pop in a few minutes of being dropped into hot oil.

When you get to that level you need to pull all of the cobs from their stalks.Pick any beans as they ripen for another special treat. Now you need to remove the dried kernels from the cob. There are a couple of tools made for this, but I like to take a cob in my hands a twist back and forth until the kernels fall off. It's a good idea to have a large bowl underneath to catch the falling kernels. Pack the kernels into seal able plastic bags or into clean jars for storage. Keep them in a cool dark place until you use them.

When you are ready, fire up your favorite popcorn popper and enjoy a big bowl of home grown popcorn.

For more great gourmet popcorn, gift tins, recipes and popcorn items. Please visit our web site at http://gourmetpopcornplus Check out our blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A.l._Castle

Popcorn Facts

Elizabeth Morgan

Unbuttered popcorn is considered to be a good, low-calorie snack. However, unbuttered popcorn can be quite tasteless. There are many ways to make unbuttered popcorn a tastier snack. A dash of brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic and onion salt, iced tea mix, peanuts and raisins can add to the flavor.

Popcorn satisfies the craving that people have for snacks. Popcorn is a type of flint corn. The kernels of this corn have a hard outer shell and are starchy inside. Dry-roasting these kernels in a specific way makes them pop up. Kernels are normally dried to a moisture level of approximately 13.5 %, which is the most favorable moisture level for popping this corn.

According to many historians, corn first came from Mexico. The oldest ears of corn were found in the Bat Caves in western central Mexico. Popcorn is a snack that is basically more then 5,000 years old and is still very popular among many people. The most astonishing fact relating to corn is that it was introduced to Europeans by the American Indian tribes. The English colonist first came to know about popcorn at the initial Thanksgiving feast.

Popcorn contains a high level of carbohydrates and fat, if people consume buttered popcorn or pop the corn the traditional way by using oil. It is a fact that each popcorn kernel contains a little amount of water inside a circle of starch, which is encircled by the hard outer surface of the kernel. Upon heating, this water usually expands and, with corresponding pressure building against the starch, it then pushes through the hard surface, making the corn burst open. With this, the soft starch inside of the kernel inflates and bursts turning the core inside out. There are many online sites available that offer facts on popcorn. People can learn a lot about popcorn and interesting ways to add to its taste.

Popcorn provides detailed information on Popcorn, Popped Popcorn, Popcorn Machines, Popcorn Factories and more. Popcorn is affiliated with How Many Carbs In Pizza.

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How Gourmet Popcorn Can Add Big Theater Ambience To Your Home Theater Experience

By Gregg Hall

Real movie experiences require full sensory stimulation, from the surround sound booming in the viewer's ears to the tantalizing smell of hot, buttered popcorn. In order to truly enjoy a home theater system, a viewer really needs a bagful of that salted, white, crunchy treat.

Thankfully the 21st century no longer requires a person to hand crank his popcorn over a hot stove. Instead a seemingly flat bag in a microwave can magically transform into what we need with just the punch of a button. Microwave popcorn companies have even found a way to truly meet the movie connoisseur's needs with butter-soaked "movie style popcorn." Unfortunately, the average 5-cup bag of movie popcorn has 15 grams of fat and over 200 calories.

Fortunately the health-conscious popcorn engineers put their brains to work as well, creating lighter versions of butter-flavored popcorn that average 5 grams of fat and 125 calories for the same 5-cup portion.

We also have the incredible option of flavored popcorn beyond the typical buttered style. For example, Kettle Corn offers a sweet and salty popcorn variation. Unfortunately, these too range high in calories and fat. Caramel, cinnamon butter, and honey butter popcorn are also viable options for a sweetened form of our favorite treat. A person could even doctor his own light popcorn with cinnamon, sugar, or even M&M's to satisfy his sweet tooth.

Cheese lovers even have their own variety of popcorn, with cheddar flavored popcorn like Orville Redenbacher's "Pour Over Cheddar" popcorn, which allowed the hungry movie watcher to add real cheese toping to his bowl and cover every kernel with a cheddar cheese taste.

For some people, microwave popcorn just doesn't cut it, and they want the real thing. Retailers are listening to those kinds of please and have thus developed movie popcorn machines in a variety of styles and sizes. The smallest of these models requires just tabletop space and produces enough popcorn to fill four one-ounce bags. Smaller machines range from $250 to $350 while the larger machines can reach up to $1200.

Those with limited counter space will want to consider a popcorn machine with a cart. This increases their total by $100 to $200 but saves room in the home theater room.

Companies that sell movie style popcorn machines many times sell the necessary accessories, such as popcorn portion packs that make popping popcorn easy.

To reach just a little farther into the movie-watcher's dream, you can also purchase the authentic popcorn bags, boxes, and buckets seen at theaters. Kettle cleaning kits will help keep your machine in top working condition as well.

Finally, the popcorn and movie expert will also want to consider the various seasonings available, from barbeque to jalapeno.

Regardless of where you watch your movie, popcorn will always add that extra zing to make the movie-watching experience special.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Gourmet Popcorn Gifts at http://www.gourmetpopcorngifts.com

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Interesting Popcorn History

By Joseph Then

Popcorn is one of the most beloved snack foods in the world. People have been eating popcorn for centuries. It is a low fat, relatively inexpensive treat that can be enjoyed year round. Many people do not realize popcorn has such an interesting history.

Popcorn was invented by Native Americans in Mexico. The oldest ears of popcorn were found by archeologists in New Mexico. These ears were found to be around 2,000 years old.

Popcorn spread to India and China before eventually ending up in North American where it was brought by European explorers. It caught on quick with the colonists in North America.

The colonists loved popcorn so much that they actually ate it for breakfast with cream and sugar. It is thought it was the first type of cereal.

Native Americans popped popcorn by throwing it on a stone in the fire. Eventually, they began popping it in clay and stone pots, which is how many tribes still pop it today. Popcorn is popped today in a variety of containers from popcorn machines to a pot on the stove to bags in the microwave.

The microwave oven was actually invented due to scientists trying to pop popcorn using microwaves. Today popping popcorn is one of the top uses for a microwave. It is such a common action that the majority of microwaves come with a popcorn button allowing for easy one touch popping.

During the Great Depression and World War II, popcorn was a popular snack food. This was due to the rationing of other snack foods and the availability and low cost of popcorn. The invention of the television slowed popcorn sales as more people were staying home and not going to the theater which at that time served as the major selling point for popcorn.

In 1885 Charles Cretors invented the first popcorn machine. As the steam engine became introduced, mobile popcorn machines were soon seen on street corners in towns across the United States.

Popcorn is a treasured treat. People all over the world enjoy eating popcorn. There are a variety of flavors and types of popcorn, ranging from the sweet to the savory. People add flavors such as caramel, cayenne and the traditional butter.

Popcorn is a tasty and interesting snack food. It is predominantly produced in the United States, specifically the mid western states. However, it is sold around the world.

Love popcorn! A great snack at all times! Learn more about popcorn at http://www.popcorn-machines-supplies.com for more information on Popcorn Machines and Popcorn Machine Parts

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Popcorn Gift Basket & Where To Find One

By Mikee Dunn

Popcorn can be a delicious and wonderful snack to eat when you are watching a movie in a theatre, when watching a sporting event at home, or just because you have friends over at the time. You probably didn’t know that popcorn could be a great gift to give loved ones, did you? In fact, a popcorn gift basket can be not only one of the best gifts, but also one of the most sensible for anyone who loves to eat those yummy kernels. Here are some things you should know when buying a popcorn gift basket for anyone:

A good popcorn gift basket will usually come with various forms of popcorn. If someone wanted just one type of popcorn, then they would just go to the grocery store and buy themselves a twelve pound bag of unsalted popcorn. Instead you should aim to jazz things up a bit by giving them popcorn in flavors that they have probably never had before. Cheddar, kettle corn, caramel, walnut, BBQ and pecan are some flavors that you can chose from. Sometimes, companies will offer a multi pack that comes with a special price if you buy a lot of varieties together.

There are some precautions to take into consideration when buying someone a popcorn gift basket. First of all, children under four years of age should not be given popcorn to eat, as it is considered a choking hazard. Even if the person you give the gift to is an adult you may want to think twice before bringing popcorn into a household with children, as they can be curious and start trying some of the sweeter flavors while putting themselves in danger. Another thing to watch out for is allergies. Sure, it may be creative to get someone an almond flavored popcorn gift basket, but what good is it if they can’t even eat it? The same goes for diabetics. Don’t buy diabetics the sugar coated flavors of popcorn.
As you can see, a popcorn gift basket can be a wonderful gift to give a friend or loved one for any occasion, even if you were just thinking of them. Please take these things in consideration every time you decide to buy a popcorn gift basket. You would not believe what kind of reaction you will get from someone who is flattered that you bought them popcorn just because you love them or care for them.

If you would like more information on any variety of a popcorn gift basket, check out http://www.squidoo.com/popcorngiftbasket/

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