Written by our friends at the American Dairy Association
If you’re looking for a simple, nutritious food that works as hard as you do, cottage cheese is worth a second look. This fresh, mild-tasting cheese is making a comeback and for good reason. It’s packed with high-quality protein, essential nutrients, and endless ways to enjoy it.
One of cottage cheese’s biggest nutrition wins is its protein content. A half-cup serving of low-fat cottage cheese delivers about 12 grams of protein with only around 90 calories, making it a smart choice for anyone looking to stay full and energized throughout the day. Even more impressive, the protein in cottage cheese is primarily casein, a slow-digesting protein that helps support muscle repair and keeps you satisfied longer. That makes it a great option for busy mornings, post-workout recovery, or even a satisfying evening snack.
Beyond protein, cottage cheese offers a range of important nutrients your body needs. It’s a source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin B12—key players in maintaining strong bones and supporting overall health. Dairy foods like cottage cheese are linked to bone health across all life stages, helping build and maintain bone density as you grow and age.
Another benefit? Cottage cheese can support balanced blood sugar levels. With only about five grams of carbohydrates per serving and no added sugar in plain varieties, it’s a smart choice for those looking to manage energy and avoid spikes and crashes. Its protein content also slows digestion, helping you feel fuller longer and stay on track with your wellness goals.
Cottage cheese is also incredibly versatile—perfect for both sweet and savory meals. Spread it on toast, blend it into smoothies, or pair it with fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. If you’re looking for inspiration, try this delicious Cottage Cheese Toast for a quick, protein-packed meal or snack that fits seamlessly into your day.
When shopping, consider options like low-fat or reduced-sodium varieties to meet your nutrition needs, and check labels for added sugars in flavored versions.
Whether you’re fueling a busy day, supporting an active lifestyle, or simply looking for a satisfying snack, cottage cheese delivers a powerful combination of nutrition and convenience—making it an easy add-to-cart choice the next time you shop.
Market 32 and Price Chopper Customers Raise Over $51,000 for Hunger Relief and Rare Disease Research Through Plush Toy Campaign
Market 32 and Price Chopper customers generated $51,484 to support critical efforts to fight hunger and fund life-changing medical innovation through the purchase of limited-edition plush toys at all store locations. Each purchase directed $3 to two longtime nonprofit partners making a meaningful difference nationwide.
Proceeds from a collection of plush Highland cows totaled $29,401 for Feeding America, helping to provide meals and essential resources to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across the country. Additionally, sales of a collection of plush hamsters raised $22,083 for Cure Rare Disease, which works to advance the development of customized genetic therapies for people living with rare and often life-threatening conditions.
“Our customers continue to show that small acts can add up to something truly meaningful,” said Danielle Tremblay, manager of community relations for Market 32 and Price Chopper. “Through this campaign, we’re able to support families facing hunger, while also invest in groundbreaking research that brings hope to those living with rare diseases. We’re proud to share that impact with our communities.”
Through initiatives like these, Market 32 and Price Chopper continue to connect everyday shopping with meaningful community impact—helping nourish lives today while supporting breakthroughs for tomorrow.
Market 32 and Price Chopper Customers Donate More than 24,000 Food Bags to Local Communities
Market 32 and Price Chopper customers are once again making a meaningful difference in their communities, donating 24,299 bags of food to local food pantries and hunger relief organizations across the Northeast.
Through the company’s $10 food bag program, which ran from March 15 to April 4 in stores, shoppers purchased pre-packed bags containing PICS-brand essentials, providing critical support to families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.
Each food bag included shelf-stable, nutritious items most requested by food assistance organizations, such as elbow macaroni, peanut butter, canned chicken and tuna, soup, and kidney beans—versatile ingredients that help form the foundation of healthy, balanced meals.
To ensure the donations have the greatest local impact, each store partnered with a nearby hunger relief organization, keeping support within the communities where customers live and work.
“Every bag purchased represents a neighbor helping a neighbor,” said Pam Cerrone, director of community relations for Market 32 and Price Chopper. “Together with our customers, we’re able to turn small acts into a collective force that helps ensure families have access to the nutritious food they need.”
The $10 food bag program is one of many ways Market 32 and Price Chopper are working to directly address food insecurity across their six-state footprint. Through customer-driven initiatives, fresh food recovery efforts, teammate volunteerism, and ongoing partnerships, the company remains committed to nourishing the communities it serves.
Composting Tips & Tricks
Reduce waste through composting! Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste are examples of compost, but usually these items are thrown away, rather than being composted. Making compost keeps these items out of landfills where they release methane and take up space.
All composting requires three ingredients: browns, greens, and water. Browns being dead leaves, branches, twigs. Greens being grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, coffee grounds. And the right amount of water.
Any time is a good time to start composting, but spring is particularly advantageous. In spring, you can use the warmer weather to your advantage along with the increased activity of microorganisms and creatures. By composting, you will enrich your soil by retaining moisture and suppressing plant diseases and pests. You will also reduce your need for chemical fertilizers and methane emissions from landfills, lowering your carbon footprint.
For backyard composting, select a dry, shady spot near a water source for your compost pile. Add even amounts of browns and greens, making sure the larger pieces are shredded or chopped. For dry materials, make sure they are moistened as they are added to the pile. Once you have built your compost pile, mix grass clippings and green waste in and bury fruit and vegetable waste under 10 inches of material.
If you don’t have a proper space for outdoor composting, you can do so indoors with a specialized composting bin. When properly managed, an indoor bin will not attract pests or give off an unwanted scent.
Check out some more composting tricks:
- Fats, pet droppings, or animal dropping should not be compost. They will attract pests and can spread disease.
- Shredded newspaper or plain white paper works great as compost!
- Plants that have been treated with pesticides should not be used.
- Straw is an excellent source of carbon for your compost pile.
- Kitchen waste such as vegetable peels, fruit rinds, coffee grounds, tea bags, and egg shells can be fed to worms. Meat and dairy products should be avoided.
- Woody stalks or corn cobs usually decompose slower, smash with a hammer to make it easier for the microorganisms in your pile to break them down.
- Too many browns will make your pile hard to break-down. Too many greens will make your pile too smelly. Try layering each evenly.
- The more you add at once the quicker your pile will heat up. One big meal is better than several small snacks.
- When finished your pile should look, feel, and smell like rich, dark soil. The items you added should be unrecognizable.
- Relax, and stick to the process. Eventually you will make a great compost!
Sources: https://www.planetnatural.com/composting-101/tips/ – http://www.carryoncomposting.com/416920199 – https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
Earth Day Cuisine - The Plant Powered Plate
Earth Day, the largest secular observance event in the world, will be recognized again on its 56th anniversary, April 22nd. Over 1 billion people in 184+ countries will be engaged in activities and events that promote improved care and feeding of our unique planet.
Adding more plants to your plate is one way to engage in supporting Earth Day, agriculture and individual health. Americans at every age and stage have plenty of room to add more plant-based foods. We fully support all efforts to add bounty and benefits of powering your plate with plants, and we have some resources to make it easy.
Recipe for a Plant Powered Plate
- Most people only eat just one vegetable one time per day – up the ante on that, double up veggie portions when you have them, and add some to all meals and snacks.
- Energize your day with a quick cup of 100% juice – a 4 ounce serving equals a full serving of fruit! Add 100% juice to water, vinaigrettes, marinades, or freeze in ice cube trays and bag up for a quick way to add flavor and benefits to your favorite drink.
- Participate in “conscious cuisine” – promoted by the Produce for Better Health Foundation, being more mindful of how plants can bring flavor, texture, antioxidants, fiber, and more to a dish. More plant-based eating benefits human and agricultural wellbeing.
- Check out our Better For You Guide for plant-based foods that only contain plant-based ingredients and at least 5 grams of protein.
- Shop with your reusable bags
Some delicious plant-forward recipes:
Vegan Creole Red Bean “Sausage” & Rice Recipe | Price Chopper
April is National Brunch Month
April is National Brunch Month and we’re celebrating with recipes perfect for spring. Give these a try at your next Sunday brunch – or whenever you have a hankering for something new. Let us know which recipes you’re most excited to try!
California Turkey BLT Egg Wraps: This recipe takes classic California-style ingredients like tomato, avocado, turkey, and bacon, and sets them up nicely in a yummy egg wrap.
Maple-Brown Butter & Thyme Cream Scones: Maple is one of our favorite brunch flavors and these Maple-Brown Butter & Thyme Cream Scones implement it beautifully.
Huevos Rancheros: Huevos Rancheros is a classic Mexican-style brunch dish. Featuring fried eggs served on a corn tortilla, topped with ranchero-style tomato and chili sauce, and accompanied with flavorful, fresh toppings.
Hawaiian Smoothie Bowl: If you’re looking for a refreshing way to start your day, this Hawaiian Smoothie Bowl is the answer. Featuring mango, banana, raspberries, pineapple juice and more.
PB & J Stuffed French Toast: Who doesn’t love French toast and all the ways you can get creative with it? This PB&J version is the perfect example of that delicious versatility.
Bacon Stuffed French Toast Rolls: Staying on French toast…we had to provide a savory option as well, like these Bacon Stuffed French Toast Rolls.
Delicata Squash & Goat Cheese Frittata: Frittata is an Italian egg-based dish, similar to an open-faced omelet. Normally filled with vegetables and accompanying ingredients for a delicious, healthy brunch. Like this version, featuring delicata squash and goat cheese.
Ham & Avocado Toasts with Crispy Parmesan Eggs: And finally, an enhanced avocado toast recipe, featuring delicious ham and eggs with crispy parmesan cheese. Delicious.
Happy National Brunch Month! We hope you enjoy a few of these new recipes.
Check out these video recipes
Market 32 and Price Chopper Launch Spring Drive to Support Local Food Pantries
Market 32 and Price Chopper invite guests across their footprint to help support local food pantries and families in need through a convenient, in-store food drive. From March 15–April 4, guests can purchase a $10 pre-packed grocery bag filled with essential PICS brand items that food pantries consistently identify as most needed. Each bag includes a 16-ounce box of elbow macaroni, a 16-ounce jar of peanut butter, a 10.5-ounce can of chicken noodle soup, a 5-ounce can of tuna, a 15.5-ounce can of kidney beans, a 15.25-ounce can of white corn, and a 5-ounce can of chunk chicken.
Each Market 32 and Price Chopper store will donate the collected bags to a local food pantry serving its community. Store teams coordinate with neighborhood organizations to ensure the food stays local and reaches families in need as quickly as possible. The pre-packed bags will be displayed in the front end of each store, with signage identifying the benefiting pantry.
“Food pantries continue to experience elevated demand as families balance rising costs and everyday expenses,” said Pam Cerrone, director of community relations for Market 32 and Price Chopper. “Our guests are incredibly generous, and this program makes it easy for them to help neighbors who may be struggling to put food on the table.”
Through initiatives like this food drive, Market 32 and Price Chopper continue their commitment to strengthening local communities and ensuring families have access to nutritious, reliable food.
Market 32 and Price Chopper Mark One-Year Milestone of Allie B’s Mac & Cheese with Expansion to 120 Locations in Six States
Schenectady, N.Y., March 11, 2026— What began in February 2025 with distribution in 21 locations has grown into a regional retail success story. Following an impressive debut one year ago and steady expansion, Market 32 and Price Chopper announced today that Allie B’s Mac & Cheese is now available at 120 stores across the Northeast. In its first year alone, more than 34,000 pounds of the gourmet offering were shipped to stores to keep pace with customer demand. The locally created comfort food has quickly established itself as a regional favorite and will now bring its signature, home-style flavor to Foodfare departments in six states.
“Customers are looking for food that feels special, crafted with care, and rooted in authenticity,” said Blaine Bringhurst, president of Market 32 and Price Chopper. “Allie B’s Mac & Cheese delivers on all of that and the response over the past year has been outstanding. It’s a restaurant-quality, award-winning dish that reflects our commitment to supporting regional creators while giving our guests something truly exceptional to serve and enjoy.”
Created by Albany, NY-based entrepreneur Kizzy Williams, owner and head chef of Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen, the gourmet mac and cheese features the same award-winning, restaurant-quality recipe that diners have enjoyed at her Albany restaurant for years. Williams, who is affectionately known as “Allie B” to her customers and fans, saw her restaurant’s dish earn top honors at the annual Mac & Cheese Bowl in 2024 and it quickly gained a loyal following for its rich, homemade taste. Beyond serving thousands of loyal customers, Williams is deeply committed to fighting food insecurity and consistently steps up to support families in need. Giving back is more than an initiative; it’s the foundation of Williams’ vision.
“Community is at the core of everything we do,” said Allie B. “What began as a local favorite is now reaching households across six states, and we’re deeply grateful for the trust families are placing in our brand. It is proof that food made with love truly connects people.”
Prepared with hand-cracked eggs, choice cheeses, and other premium ingredients, Allie B’s Mac & Cheese stays true to the original recipe that made it a standout in New York’s Capital Region food scene. The product features co-branding from Market 32 and Price Chopper and Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen and was the first Foodfare item to join the company’s home.grown. initiative, which features high-quality, locally produced and sourced offerings.
After launching in 21 Albany-area Market 32 and Price Chopper stores in February 2025 and expanding to 32 locations by the summer, Allie B’s Mac & Cheese has continued to resonate with customers, prompting its most significant expansion to date. The product brings locally born flavor to locations across New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.
“Food has always been my love language, and to see the mac and cheese we serve in our restaurant reach even more families across the Northeast is truly humbling,” said Allie B. “Thanks to Market 32 and Price Chopper, we’re able to share the recipe that built our reputation—while staying true to the quality and care behind it—and spread joy through food in a way I never imagined.”
Allie B’s Mac & Cheese is available in the Foodfare department at 120 Market 32 and Price Chopper locations in convenient hot grab-and-go and cold take-and-heat containers, the hot buffet, and via online catering orders, making it easy and convenient for customers to enjoy. Attached to this press release is a list of stores, separated by state, in which Allie B’s Mac & Cheese is now available. Allie B welcomes interviews and can travel—with her Mac & Cheese made fresh!—to share her story and more about the growing partnership with Market 32 and Price Chopper!
To celebrate the expansion, Allie B and her team will also be visiting select Market 32 and Price Chopper stores for free sampling events. Follow the official Market 32 and Price Chopper Facebook page for updates on dates, times, and locations.
Market 32 and Price Chopper Raise over $44,000 for Special Olympics
SCHENECTADY, N.Y., March 16, 2025– Market 32 and Price Chopper customers once again demonstrated that small contributions add up to meaningful impact, raising more than $44,000 for Special Olympics through a recent in-store fundraising campaign. The funding was announced during a ceremonial check presentation at the Market 32 located in the Shoppers World Shopping Center in Clifton Park, NY.
During January, customers at all 128 Market 32 and Price Chopper locations across six states rounded up their change at checkout, generating $34,284 in donations. Market 32 and Price Chopper contributed an additional $10,000, bringing the total to $44,284 in support of Special Olympics athletes and programs throughout the region.
In the spirit of the just-completed Paralympic Winter Games and last month’s Winter Olympic games, both in Milan–Cortina, Italy, the campaign underscores the enduring role sports play in building confidence, inclusion, and community at every level. Support from Market 32 and Price Chopper customers helps ensure Special Olympics athletes across New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire have access to year-round training, competition, and inclusive athletic opportunities close to home. Additionally, funds raised will help support local athletes preparing for the 2026 USA Games.
“Special Olympics opens doors for people with intellectual disabilities to challenge themselves, grow as athletes, and experience the joy of belonging,” said Blaine Bringhurst, president of
Market 32 and Price Chopper. “We’re incredibly grateful to our customers, whose generosity helps make these opportunities possible in the communities we proudly serve.”
“Retail campaigns like this play a powerful role in advancing the Special Olympics movement and ensuring inclusive opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities,” said Stacey Hengsterman, President and CEO of Special Olympics New York. “Thank you to all of the Market 32 and Price Chopper customers who supported our champions!”
Market 32 and Price Chopper Step Up to the Plate with Spring “Big League Raffle” for Youth Sports Teams
SCHENECTADY, N.Y., March 9, 2026– Local youth sports programs have an opportunity to hit a home run with their fundraising efforts thanks to the Market 32 and Price Chopper Big League Raffle. Teams across the region can sell $5 raffle tickets, giving supporters a chance to win exciting prizes while keeping 100% of the proceeds for their organization. Market 32 and Price Chopper provide the tickets and all prizes, making it a win-win for young athletes, their families, and the community.
“This is an easy, seamless way for teams to raise much-needed funds for uniforms, equipment, travel, and more, with Market 32 and Price Chopper doing the heavy lifting,” said Pam Cerrone, the company’s director of community relations. “Teams sell raffle tickets, we manage the logistics, and much-needed resources to support vital youth athletic programs stay local.”
Prizes include a variety of high-value gift cards, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Tickets are easy to sell and a fun way for community members to get involved while uplifting local athletes and development programs. The spring sports raffle drawing will take place on June 25, 2026.
Teams interested in participating can visit pricechopper.com/big-league-raffle for details.