An international community service project of the design and construction industry trademarked and sponsored under the auspices of the Society for Design Administration. service project of the Society of Design Administration

Architects, Engineers, Designers, Contractors, and Students mentored by those professionals, compete each year to design and build gigantic structures made entirely from full cans of food.

Prizes are awarded in categories such as Best Meal, Best Use of Labels, Structural Ingenuity and Jurors’ Favorite.

At the close of the competition all of the food collected is donated to local food banks for distribution to emergency feeding programs.

Winners from each local event go on to compete internationally via slide photography. Judging takes place in the U.S. each spring at the Society for Design Administration & American Institute of Architects National Convention.

As a result of this unique charity competition millions of pounds of food are donated to food banks to help feed those most in need.

Professionals within the design & construction industry experience positive public relations with widespread media coverage from TV, radio, newspapers and magazines. A/E/C professionals are spotlighted giving back to the communities they help build.

Local competitions may be organized so that design firms compete one against another...

...or, A/E/C professionals can mentor teams of school children, introducing them to the design and construction industry while performing community service. Canstruction involves teaching students design development, math/geometry, structural engineering and construction techniques.

...or Schools of Architecture and Engineering may sponsor a Canstruction Competition.

Canstruction Competitions may be hosted in Malls Museums Public Lobbies Government Buildings Convention Centers Design Centers Hotels ___ Any public place with enough floor space and high foot traffic.

To secure food teams can reach out to consultants, sub-contractors, contractors, vendors, food manufacturers, grocery stores, local businesses and wholesale distributors.

When schools are involved food can be secured from sponsoring A/E/C firms, grocery store chains, local businesses and school food drives and fund raisers.

The official date for local Canstruction Competition Award Ceremonies is the second Thursday in November.

For further information on how you can sponsor a Canstruction Competition in your city visit our website at or contact Executive Director Cheri Melillo at

One Can make a difference!