KNOXVILLE -- Foodies and Market Square congregates are going to really enjoy this year's Samples on the Square on Thursday, August 16 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.

The third annual benefit event is to raise money for the Knox Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (KAPPI).

Samples on the Square will feature selected specialties from 11 Market Square eateries for an admission price of $50 per person.

A new addition this year is live music from the band Full Tilt on the Market Square stage beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are limited to 200 people, and are available through KAPPI's website mybodymyfuture.com or by calling 865-215-5160.

KAPPI's mission is to prevent adolescent pregnancy through a comprehensive, community wide collaborative effort that promotes abstinence, self respect, and responsible decision making about sexuality and other health issues. KAPPI is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization and donations are tax deductible. Proceeds from Samples on the Square will fund KAPPI's operating budget for the next 12 months.

Participating restaurants and specialty dishes include:

• Blue Coast Burrito's will feature Chicken Quesadilla Quarters, flour tortilla stuffed with hand cut marinated grilled chicken and shredded Jack cheese, served with sides of sour cream and pico de gallo.
• Bella Luna highlights meatball ragu with creamy mascarpone polenta
• Café 4 presents grilled salmon on a bed of mixed greens, with oranges, beets, red onion, goat cheese, chipotle orange vinaigrette
• Cocoa Moon will tease your taste buds with Arroz con Pollo, grilled chicken on a bed of seasoned rice covered with cheese sauce.
• Latitude 35 showcases their take on the ever-popular shrimp and grits: crispy fried cheese grits with tangy Creole sauce and shrimp
• Oodles Uncorked offers a light sundried tomato and roasted garlic hummus served with green apples and warm flatbread. Perfect to dip while you sip a cool beverage!
• Rita's celebrates summer with their number one selling treat: Mango Gelatis, a layering of Italian ice and cream frozen custard. Yum!
• Sangria's Cuban Café rolls out a taste of the new menu: Chicken with yellow rice "Arroz con Pollo," a classic Cuban dish with slow cooked rice, chicken and the chef's secret blend of spices.
• Shonos in City does a double take on the inventive: California roll with fresh crab, cucumber and avocado, and a crunchy shrimp roll with tempura shrimp, avocado, cucumber and spicy sauce.
• Steamboat will be serving the one and only Steamboat sandwich with ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, and all the trimmings with a side of baked potato salad, made with a sour cream base, sliced potatoes, bacon and seasoning blend.
• Trio does what they do best: The perfect summer salad featuring in-house smoked turkey breast atop a salad full of tomatoes, jalapeno, and cheddar and Jack cheeses with barbeque ranch dressing.

The Knox Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (KAPPI) is a community coalition committed to preventing teen pregnancy and other risky behaviors. Since 1991, KAPPI has encouraged community-wide support for teen pregnancy prevention under the auspices of the Knox County Health Department. Currently there are more than 30 organizations represented on KAPPI, including Knox County Schools, Boys and Girls Club of East TN, UT Medical Center, Mercy Health Partners, and Knox County Juvenile Court to name a few.

Coalition activities seek to reach adolescents before they make choices that may negatively affect their health and well-being. KAPPI goals are to 1) promote total community involvement, 2) reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy in Knox County and 3) improve coordination and services available for pregnant and parenting teens.

Published July 20, 2012