For the seventh year, Dunkin' Donuts and the American Red Cross are teaming up for the "Give a Pint, Get a Pound" campaign, which provides a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee to donors at Red Cross blood drives.

Starting the new year with additional unit growth, Sonic Drive-In has announced expansion plans in the state of New York with a franchise agreement bringing eight new drive-ins to Buffalo within the next six years. The nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants has reached an agreement with Kevin DiPirro to develop these locations, with the first planned to open in the spring of 2015. The eight drive-in locations will extend throughout Niagara and Erie counties.

It's that time of the year when people look back on years past and identify goals they want to achieve in the year ahead. According to USA.gov, nearly half of the most popular New Year's resolutions each year are health-related.

"Despite good intentions, the majority of Americans give up on their New Year's resolutions within the first few weeks of the new year," said Gail Marchese, wellness coordinator at Tops. "For those making health-related resolutions, there are simple ways to make smarter food and lifestyle choices that can be easily incorporated into your daily lives."

Here are a few wellness, smart eating, and food shopping tips from Tops to ease the transition to a healthier lifestyle in 2014 and beyond.

Water Street Landing is unquestionably one of Lewiston's most popular spots to dine in the warm months. But what do patrons do in the winter?

The restaurant recently debuted an outdoor seating area that is lit by a fire pit, which also provides warmth.

Food Network kicks off the new year with five times the food and fun in the brand-new series "The Kitchen," co-hosted by culinary favorites Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian.

Aaron Rotella is opening The Spicey Pickle in Lewiston a little later this winter.

If there's one downside to fabulous, food-filled holiday celebrations, it's the gurgles and groans of post-feasting indigestion.

"We assume it's because we overate, but for a lot of people, that pain and sick feeling may not be about how much you ate but what you ate," said Kyra Bussanich, (www.kyrasbakeshop.com), three-time winner of The Food Network's "Cupcake Wars," and author of a just-released recipe book, "Sweet Cravings: 50 Seductive Desserts for a Gluten-Free Lifestyle."

Bakery owner tosses the flour but keeps the flavor.

Bussanich's gluten-free cupcakes twice bested their floury competition on "Cupcake Wars."

Dominique Wilkins provided guests at the Niagara Falls Culinary Center with diabetes education and prevention tips.

Iconic restaurateur Tom George retired this week after 44 years of serving Lewiston's best bagel sandwiches and chili-cheeseburgers. His last day at The Villa Coffee House was Monday.

As Halloween approaches, be very afraid - and also a little hungry - because participating IHOP restaurants in the Buffalo area are bringing back one of their most beloved traditions for kids: the "Scary Face" pancake joins the "Just For Kids" menu this month.

Season nine "Food Network Star" winner Damaris Phillips brings her fresh take on southern cuisine to the Food Network lineup with new series "Southern at Heart," premiering Sunday, Oct. 27, at 10:30 a.m. Her "Southern food is the food of love" philosophy and quirky sense of humor lead the way as she teaches people how to impress through cooking. From preparing a special dish for a date to helping beginners master the perfect meal for their partner, Damaris plays matchmaker and chef to a tee in her six-episode series, providing entertainment and delicious food along the way.

Ah, happy hour. Great food, great drinks, a fun atmosphere - and the chance to enjoy some much-needed downtime. What's not to love? Now, thanks to a fairly recent trend that's gaining momentum across the country, you and your favorite furry friend can love happy hour together. Happy hours called "Yappy Hours" are cropping up in pet-friendly restaurants, bars and hotels in cities everywhere. We've compiled a list of some of the best "Yappy Hours" across the country.

Sisters Sarah Mallare and Christine Carr of Grand Island have opened a new bakery in the City of Tonawanda. Magpie's Bake Shop & Café, named after their mother, Christine "Maggie" Smith, recently celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting. Located at 38 Niagara St., they offer soups, pizza, cakes, pastries, many other baked goods.

Mary Beth and Louis J. Billittier are proud to announce that longtime family friend and legendary Buffalo broadcaster Dave Thomas will be at Chef's Italian Restaurant to host the "World's Largest Pasta Dinner."

M&T Bank will once again be the grand marquee sponsor for the Aquarium of Niagara's annual "Winds, Waves & Wines," which celebrates the area's grape harvest. "WWW XIV" will be held Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Convention & Event Center Niagara Falls from 6 to 9 p.m.

East Aurora will play host to the Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce's 2nd annual Taste of East Aurora on Saturday, Sept. 14. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Main Street, between Olean Road and Riley streets, will come alive with wonderful taste tempting samples of the finest cuisine available in the greater East Aurora area.

Carl Russo of WGRF 96.9-FM (97 Rock) was the winner Tuesday in the Chef's Restaurant "Media Meatball Eating Challenge." He consumed 11 meatballs in the first ever meatball-eating contest in Buffalo, which was hosted by "Wing King" and food marketing icon Drew Cerza.

The Big Mac sandwich - with its catchy jingle and elusive sauce recipe - is celebrating its 45th birthday this year. To honor this American icon, McDonald's restaurants across Western New York are planning a special party featuring a tasteful gift for thousands of Big Mac fans.

With all the things that can cause parents gray hairs these days, you would think something as innocent as a birthday cupcake or the childhood staple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches wouldn't be on the list.

Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri are back to battle it out for ultimate bragging rights, but this time mentoring the most talented kid chefs around, in "Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off," premiering Sunday, Sept. 8, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Lewiston's Apple Granny is known for its fish fry, a wide assortment of sandwiches and a killer bacon cheeseburger basket.

It's also known for history. That is, its promotion of the village's storied past.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County has announced the 2013 Niagara County Fair kickoff event, the Farm-City Breakfast, will be sponsored by Niagara County Community College.

On July 31, more than 600 people will enjoy a homestyle breakfast in the food tent at the Niagara County Fair located on the fair grounds at 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport. The festivities begin at 8 a.m. Tickets for the Farm-City Breakfast are available now in the CCE-Niagara County administrative building or the day of the breakfast for $7. The NCCC mascot will be at the breakfast with a free giveaway.

"The Great Food Truck Race" kicks off season four with a brand-new cast of food truck hopefuls, who hit the road for the longest route in series history (4,181 miles), and exciting culinary challenges that celebrate the country's national landmarks.

I have this theory I call the "Disney World theory." That's when your favorite thing is the last thing you did. When you just get off Space Mountain that's your favorite ride until you get off of the Rock and the Rollercoaster and that becomes your favorite ride.

The story of The Silo, 115 N. Water St., began in the 1930s, back when this area was referred to as the "Hojack Country."

The White Linen Tea House of Wheatfield was the winner of the People's Choice Awards for Best Culinary Samples at the Lewiston Region Tour of Kitchens held June 8 and 9. The home of Bob and Marian Granfield of Youngstown (The French Country Cottage) was the winner of the People's Choice - Best in Show for Décor and Tablescapes.

Mike Shubic, one half of the Rand McNally/USA Today "Best of the Road" "Best for Food" team the "Road Bros," returned to Lewiston this week - but not to judge its culinary offerings.

Dunkin' Donuts today continued its sustained growth and expansion in Western New York with the opening of a new restaurant in Lockport.

Amberleigh Retirement Community in Williamsville recently hosted a "Cutest Cupcake" bake-off among its residents and staff to benefit the Alzheimer's Association of WNY.

Don't miss the fifth annual Lewiston Region Tour of Kitchens and Homes June 8 and 9. Get an up close and personal look inside of six of the area's most fabulous homes and entertaining spaces located in the Lewiston and Youngstown region

Dunkin' Donuts celebrated the opening of its newest restaurant in the greater Buffalo area at Roswell Park Cancer Institute on Tuesday.

Hard Rock Café Niagara Falls, USA, is giving fans a chance to celebrate National Burger Month with a beach getaway to the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana.

Vincenzo's Pizza House opened Tuesday in the Village of Lewiston. ... And within 10 minutes, it was filled with customers munching on old-fashioned and cheese slices.

Plans are shaping up for the fifth annual Lewiston Region Tour of Kitchens, taking place Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at select addresses in Lewiston and Youngstown.

Alan Hastings has one simple goal for his Water Street eatery: He wants The Silo to be the best fast food restaurant in the world.

The Grand Island Market is enjoying a honeymoon in the first week of operation since the marriage of the store with Marco's Italian Deli.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Lewiston and The Silo Restaurant, in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers, will celebrate one of the region's most famous natural resources as they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival on Friday, May 3, at the foot of Center Street along the Lewiston waterfront.

The Beach House has won Niagara Frontier Publications' second annual "Best Fish Fry" contest. Following a record number of entries, the Grand Island restaurant netted 13.1 percent of the 268 votes - more than double the tally of the second-place winners.

Chef Carmelo Raimondi and sous chef Bruce Wieszala of Carmelo's Restaurant were selected to compete as challengers in the annual "Nickel City Chef" competition at Artisan Kitchens and Baths in Buffalo.