ADVISORY:
February 26, 2026

CONTACT:
Derek Sands
DSands@BergenCountyNJ.gov

Steve Spoto
SSpoto@BergenCountyNJ.gov

ADVISORY – EAST RUTHERFORD – THURSDAY
BERGEN COUNTY CAN-STRUCTION 2026 KICKOFF

Eight Student-Led Teams to Build Large-Scale Food Structures to Fight Food Insecurity
Build will take place at American Dream Mall

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Bergen County Office of Food Security, in partnership with American Dream, will host Bergen County Canstruction® 2026, an international charity competition where teams design and construct giant structures entirely out of canned food. All cans used in the builds will be donated to local food banks and pantries following the event.

This year’s competition features eight student-led teams representing:

  • Bergen Community College
  • Ramapo College of New Jersey
  • Bergen County Technical School District
  • Henry P. Becton Regional High School
  • Leonia High School
  • North Arlington High School
  • Paramus High School
  • Westwood High School

Sponsors for Bergen County Canstruction 2026 include:

  • Inserra Supermarkets
  • Glass Gardens ShopRite
  • Market Basket
  • The Sanzari Family Foundation
  • Orange & Rockland Utilities
  • Eastwick College
  • Hackensack Meridian Health
  • Neglia Engineering

Following the overnight build, the completed structures will be open to the public as an immersive “art-walk” experience from Friday, February 27 through Thursday, March 5.

BUILD NIGHT DETAILS

Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Team Arrival: 8:00 PM
Build Begins: 9:00 PM
Build Deadline: 6:00 AM (Friday morning)
Location: Court A, Level 3 American Dream, East Rutherford, NJ

Media are invited to capture overnight construction visuals and interview student participants.

PUBLIC VIEWING (“ART WALK”)

Friday, February 27 – Thursday, March 5, 2026
Court A, Level 3, American Dream Mall, East Rutherford, NJ

Visitors will be able to experience the large-scale canned food structures firsthand and learn more about food insecurity in Bergen County.

JUDGING & AWARDS CEREMONY

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Judging Begins: 4:00 PM
Awards Ceremony: 4:30 PM
Location: Court A, Level 3, American Dream Mall, East Rutherford, NJ

Awards will be presented for Best Design and Online Vote Winner.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

  • Overnight build footage
  • Interviews with student teams
  • Interviews with Bergen County officials
  • B-roll of completed installations
  • Awards ceremony coverage

For evening of media credentialing or interview requests, please contact Patrick Fallon at 973-768-6979.

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