UPDATED Nov. 11: The venerable delicatessen in Arlington Heights, D'Agostino's, has supported building what its owner says now has the distinction of having been New England’s largest sub -- a 200-foot Italian sandwich -- as a benefit for Food Link.

The event began before 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Peirce Field behind Arlington High School, according to Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Homan, who said that the project went well and without incident, and with APS employees eating it later in the morning. See the finished sub, above.

The submarine sandwich, far larger than any previously constructed in the region, Sam D'Agostino says, supports the Arlington-based food-rescue nonprofit whose headquarters is near the AHS football field. Food Link aims to have a food system without waste in which everyone has enough.

An estimated $2,500 in donated ingredients

D'Agostino donated an estimated $2,500 in Italian submarine sandwich ingredients to Arlington educators, and, while the event took place on Election Day, the megasub was not for poll workers, he said.

Here is an estimate from earlier in the week of what it was expected to take to build the sub: 

Thirty pounds of mortadella,

Sixty pounds of capicola,

Thirty pounds of provolone,

Seventy-five pounds of Genoa salami and

Two hundred feet of bread.

Who will eat it?

Dining on the monster were an estimated 1,000 employees of Arlington Public Schools. Replying on Sunday to a YourArlington inquiry, Dr. Matthew Janger, AHS principal, noted that most of the district staff, including teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators, were at the high school for professional development on Tuesday.

“As much as we would like to feed the entire town, it just isn’t possible,” D'Agostino told YourArlington.

“We were pleased to partner with D'Agostino's on this project, which was sponsored by several organizations in the area to raise awareness about Arlington Food Link, an organization that works to address food insecurity in communities across the commonwealth,” Homan said via email when contacted by YourArlington the afternoon of Nov. 8. “They've raised significant funds for Food Link with this project, and we were grateful to have the sub donated to our staff on our professional development day today. Staff were grateful as well, and it was a fun way to celebrate a strong start to the school year.” 

Money was raised by contacting local businesses to participate.

D'Agostino, along with Food Link’s Shannon Fitzgerald and AHS teachers and students, planned to carefully construct a classic sandwich almost the length of an entire football field.

D'Agostino continued by saying, “Much of my entire life – my family, my career and many memories made around the table -- has revolved around food, and I am so grateful. Food is a necessity that also has a unique capability to bring joy to people. Everyone should have access to food, but, unfortunately, that is not reality. We hope through this event that we help spread awareness for Food Link while raising money that helps them accomplish their vital mission.”

After establishing its deli nearly 50 years ago, the D'Agostino family has long supported local causes, including Food Link, while providing Arlington with a sandwich shop the community has come to enjoy.

D'Agostino says he takes pride in educating his staff and customers about Food Link. He created the Venmo account @dagostinosfoodfighters, which has already raised $1,000 and can accept more contributions.

Sponsors

This event was made possible by D’Agostino’s sponsors and partners:

• Arlington High School
• McDonald Contracting, Arlington
• Shift Group
• Wonder Yoga, Arlington
• Accardi Foods, Medford
• Beekman Foods, Woburn
• Boars Head
• Cambridge Savings Bank
• Santini Inc
• Sweeney & O'Connell's Real Estate
• The D’Agostino team

Nov. 15, 2021: Heights Pub opens to overflowing joy

This news summary was published Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, based on information from local shop owner Sam D'Agostino, updated later that day to clarify that a wide variety of school district employees was expected to enjoy the mega sandwich when completed, and updated again Nov. 8 with comments from schools Superintendent Elizabeth Homan. The photo was added Nov. 9, and the ACMi video Nov. 11.