Sanford, Fla. — Perfect Game announced a new partnership with GOODLES on February 11, 2026. The agreement names the boxed mac and cheese brand the organization’s Official Mac & Cheese across select youth baseball and softball tournaments.
The collaboration will bring GOODLES’ microwavable mac and cheese cups to families and players at major events. These include the Perfect Game All-American Classic and the WWBA National Championships.
The agreement places GOODLES products in welcome packages and at on-site sampling stations during several Perfect Game tournaments throughout the 2026 season. Both companies said the partnership reflects growing demand for convenient, better-for-you food options at youth sporting events.
Families often spend long days traveling and attending games. Organizers said the partnership responds to those conditions by offering quick and accessible meal choices.
According to Perfect Game CEO Rob Ponger, the partnership addresses logistical challenges faced by tournament families. He said the move aligns with the organization’s focus on supporting athletes beyond competition. The goal is to provide food options that meet basic nutrition needs during travel-heavy schedules.
Event activations and product positioning
GOODLES was founded in 2021. The brand positions itself within the functional comfort food category.
The company reformulated traditional boxed mac and cheese to include 14 grams of protein per serving. It also contains 7 grams of prebiotic fiber and 21 plant-based vitamins and minerals. The product maintains conventional taste and texture.
GOODLES will activate at several high-profile events. These include the Perfect Game All-Star Game and Select Fest Games.
Sampling booths will also appear at the WWBA National Championships and the National All-State Championship. Organizers said the partnership allows GOODLES to reach families directly in environments where quick meals are in high demand.
GOODLES co-founder Paul Earle said the brand’s leadership team understands the youth sports ecosystem firsthand. He noted that both founders are parents of baseball players. Together, they have spent thousands of hours at practices and tournaments.
The partnership comes as food brands increasingly target youth sports and family-centric venues. Companies are using these settings to introduce products that balance indulgence with nutritional claims.
Tournament environments provide direct-to-consumer exposure. They also reinforce brand associations with active lifestyles and performance.
Industry context: nutrition meets experiential marketing
Partnerships between food brands and youth sports organizations have become more common as companies seek experiential marketing opportunities that connect products with active lifestyles. Similar deals have emerged across baseball, soccer, and youth leagues, blending sampling programs with nutritional messaging.
The GOODLES agreement also reflects the expansion of functional claims in comfort food categories, where protein, fiber, and clean-label certifications increasingly differentiate products from legacy boxed meals.
The brand is the first boxed mac and cheese company to receive the Clean Label Purity Award certification, indicating third-party testing for contaminants: a credential that appeals to parents evaluating packaged foods for children.
Why it matters
The Perfect Game–GOODLES partnership reflects a broader shift in CPG strategy. Comfort foods are being repositioned through nutrition-forward reformulation and real-world brand activations.
Youth sports venues now serve as a testing ground for these products. They allow brands to showcase items that offer convenience while still supporting wellness-focused messaging.
Families increasingly seek portable, fast-prep meals during tournaments and travel. In response, brands are combining functional benefits with familiar formats.
This approach helps them stand out in crowded grocery aisles.
Editor’s note: Source86 perspective
For food manufacturers and private label brands, this partnership highlights the growing importance of experiential distribution and functional reformulation in traditional comfort food categories.
Products that once competed mainly on taste now differentiate in other ways. Many brands emphasize protein content, added fiber, and clean-label verification. This approach is especially effective when targeting families and youth-oriented audiences.
At Source86, we support food brands navigating this shift. We connect them with trusted ingredient suppliers, private label partners, and co-manufacturers that can scale better-for-you formulations.
These partners help brands develop nutrient-enhanced pasta products. They also support event-driven promotions.
Source86 assists with sourcing and FSQA oversight. The company also helps manage supply chain execution with transparency and precision. Let’s talk.
FAQs
GOODLES will appear at select Perfect Game tournaments, including the Perfect Game All-American Classic, Perfect Game All-Star Game, Select Fest Games, WWBA National Championships, and National All-State Championship.
The organization cited the need for convenient, travel-friendly food options for families attending multi-day tournaments while aligning with brands that emphasize nutrition claims.
GOODLES is available nationwide in retail stores and through its direct-to-consumer website.
External source: PERFECT GAME ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH GOODLES
