Written By: Ellie Wilson, MS, RD  Senior Nutritionist, Price Chopper Supermarkets I don’t think anyone would doubt that farmers have very busy lives. Last fall, I visited a number of the farmers that work with us at Price Chopper. They all carved time out to spend with me and show me some of what they do. As you might expect, they all described pretty long days – there is only so much time in the growing season, and so many things to do to keep a farm successful. I also asked them all about vacation, and winter was unanimously the time they used to take trips and attend conferences. My bigger question was, what farm business happens over the winter that helps them successfully transition from season to season? Brian Reeves of Reeves Farm outlined some of the work they do. Winter is down time, and the pace is very different. December brings work on taxes, and reviewing farm systems like drip irrigation, and machine needs, as they look to close out the last year and prepare for next. With that in mind, Reeves Farm has ordered a new corn planter, which will arrive in the spring. December also brings seed catalogs, and planning the tried and true crops and the new varieties for next season. In the late fall, when all of the winter squash was finally harvested, they found themselves with a bumper crop. Storage was a huge issue – they have enormous bins they use for pumpkin and squash, and they can move them around with various farm machines. They were storing the bins everywhere – it was pretty tight. This wasn’t the first year they found themselves short on storage, but they decided it was going to be the last year. It can only be good news when we learn farmers are expanding their capacity to grow and manage a bigger crop, especially our vegetable farmers. Check out the new packing barn annex they are adding on the original building – it is huge! It is a big step for a farm to take on a project like this – the last time they built was in 1992. You can see, when they go, they go big, because they are not going to be building again for a long time. Vacation plans for trips to warmer climates are on the horizon. We will check back in with Brian and his family as the weather warms up a little, so we can get an inside view of the energy of spring. Meantime, stay warm and enjoy our winter crop of squash and apples – find a great recipe here! Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs  

CAT’S PRIDE FRESH & LIGHT ULTIMATE CARE 

 Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care is the ultimate lightweight litter that’s up to 50% lighter, provides 10 day odor control, rock hard clumping and is 99.9% dust free. Unlike other lightweight litters that use ineffective fillers like paper or wood, Fresh & Light Ultimate Care has no fillers and delivers pure performance.  It quickly absorbs and eliminates odors to keep homes smelling fresh and clean.  Its 99.9% dust free formula means less dusty residue and tracking – making cleanup a breeze. Fresh & Light Ultimate Care is available in both Scented and Unscented Hypoallergenic multi-cat formulas and comes in easy to carry 12 lb. jugs.  It’s truly Light Done Right! Look for Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care in the Pet aisle.  

FARMRICH CHICKEN WINGS and BITES

 Everybody loves wings!  But wouldn’t it be better if you could enjoy your favorite wings without ordering out?

 Now you can enjoy the flavor of classic Buffalo or tangy BBQ style Chicken Wings and Bites from FarmRich!  Crispy breaded chicken wings create a snack that’s perfect for every occasion from game day to family night.  And they’re ready in no time – so you’ll wonder why you ever went out for wings before. Look for FarmRich Buffalo Style Breaded Chicken Wings and BBQ Style Boneless Chicken Bites in the Frozen aisle.     Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

QLEARQUIL

From the makers of NyQuil and DayQuil comes QlearQuil, a family of over-the-counter medications for the occasional allergy sufferer. Approximately 50 million Americans suffer from nasal allergies.  However, not all of these people experience allergies every day.  Occasional allergy sufferers often experience symptoms that can vary by time of year, week or even day, which is where QlearQuil comes in.  QlearQuil offers a family of over-the-counter medications that treat specific sinus and allergy symptoms when a consumer needs them. The QlearQuil family includes All-Day and All-Night 24-Hour Allergy Relief, Nighttime Allergy Relief, Daytime Sinus & Congestion, Nighttime Sinus & Congestion and a 12-Hour Nasal Decongestant Moisturizing Spray.  The entire lineup offers powerfully effective relief from common allergy symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, itching of the nose and throat, sinus pressure and congestion. Look for QlearQuil in the Respiratory aisle.

UNCLE BEN’S FLAVORED GRAINS

What’s for dinner tonight?  The same old recipe prepared the same old way?  Even if it’s one of your family’s favorite meals, don’t you wish there was an easy way to freshen it up with some exciting new flavors? Now there is!  Introducing UNCLE BEN’S Flavored Grains.  These unique mixes of sophisticated grains make it easy to change up your dinner routine, whether you use them as a side dish or in your family’s favorite recipes.  Price Chopper is proud to bring you two varieties that cook to perfection in just 25 minutes. UNCLE BEN’S Basmati Medley Savory Herb is a unique blend of basmati rice, orzo and wild rice. UNCLE BEN’S Brown Rice & Quinoa Roasted Red Pepper features the healthy goodness of brown rice and two types of whole grain quinoa.  They both cook to perfection in just 25 minutes! Look for UNCLE BEN’S Flavored Grains in the Rice Aisle. Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

fairlife

fairlife ultra-filtered milk has 50% more protein, 30% more calcium and 50% less sugar than ordinary milk and it’s lactose free! How they do it is simple!  Their milk flows through soft filters to concentrate the natural goodness, like protein and calcium, and filter out the sugars.  That allows them to bottle only delicious nutrient-rich, good-for-you milk with a powerful combination of protein and calcium. Believe in better® milk and try some today!  Look for fairlife in the Dairy aisle.

STONEFIRE NAAN CRISPS

The team at fgf Brands spent years perfecting the authentic recipe for their Stonefire Naan Flatbread.  That same quest for authenticity drove the creation of their Stonefire Naan Crisps.  It took over two years of experimentation and Research and Development to make this unique product a reality. Now the rich and authentic flavor of Stonefire Naan is available in a light crunchy snack.  Flame baked, using no artificial preservatives, Stonefire Naan Crisps are a versatile snack paired with your favorite toppings or enjoyed plain – right out of the bag.  They’re perfect for bite sized appetizers and entertaining or snacking anytime. Available in four flavors – Original, Everything, Garlic Parmesan and Tandoori Spice.  At only 120 calories per serving, they’re the perfect better for you snack. Look for Stonefire Naan Crisps in the Deli Department. Whether you’re having a St. Patrick’s Day gathering or you just want to celebrate the day with some cultural food, we have the perfect Irish cheeses available for you!  Try any of the varieties below and save on Kerrygold products with an e-Coupon! All Kerrygold products are imported from Ireland and made from milk of grass-fed cows that graze the lush green pastures. The Skellig variety is a true sweet cheddar- full flavor throughout, it’s savory and has a sweet almost butterscotch undertone.  Perfect for cheeseboards, pairing with your favorite red wine or cooking with it! The classic Dubliner is the perfect combination of parmesean and cheddar….sharp, sweet and nutty!  The Blarney Castle variety is a true historic cheese.  It’s produced using the same hills and streams from over 600 years ago.  It’s very similar to a gouda, mild and creamy and offering your palet a rich flavor throughout.  Enjoy with grapes or with a beautiful fruity white wine. The Kerrygold swiss is sweet and nutts, full of flavor and enjoyment with every bite!  Last but not least, the cheddar reserve is intense and far from the norm.  It’s aged for 2 years and still its flavor is rich and smooth.

Written by Kevin Schulke

Category Manager of Beer, Wine and Salty Snacks The routine has been relentless and unmistakable…..it began 5 months ago and it has droned on, first there was the cold…then the snow…then even more cold and even deeper snow…..it has gone on and on and on. But wait what is that upon our horizon? It is coming soon and it is St Patrick’s Day, it is a warming beacon near the end of a long, hard winters run now let’s get ready for some fun.  First the list; Corned Beef, check; potatoes, carrots, cabbage, check; Beer, no….let’s do this correctly please, Irish Beer, DOUBLE CHECK! Let me list some selections to help you make your choice. Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

CASARO FAMILY OF CHEESE

Carrying on the same family traditions and methods that have been used for decades, Casaro Cheesemakers are true artisans, handcrafting the highest quality Italian specialty cheese since 1929.  Their milk comes  to them fresh daily from local farmers who produce the highest quality milk needed to make their Gold Quality Italian Cheeses.  Each cheese is ALL NATURAL, GLUTEN FREE and made from rBST free milk. Look in the Dairy aisle for 8 oz. wedges of Asiago, Parmesan, Romano and Fontina Chunks.  For the consumer looking for their cheese ready to use, you will find 5 oz. cups of Grated Parmesan, Shredded Romano and Shredded 4 Cheese Blend. Also enjoy Casaro’s Fresh Mozzarella, produced locally in Schenectady, New York – 8 oz Balls and 16 oz. Logs are handcrafted from local milk only a few hours after milking.  This delicate mild-flavored cheese is made to order so the result is a clean milky flavor with a porcelain white appearance.

CLEAN SHOT BLEACH TABLETS

The Bleach aisle is about to get a NEW and Better Way To Bleach! Clean Shot provides all the great qualities of liquid bleach, but now in a convenient tablet that is easier and safer!  Simply toss a power packed Clean Shot Bleach Tablet in your washing machine to dissolve stubborn stains and brighten whites. One little bottle of Clean Shot can clean as much as a gallon of liquid bleach.  Three fresh scents leave your laundry smelling great too. Clean Shot can also be used around the house for everyday cleaning.  Drop a couple of tablets into the bowl for a clean and disinfected toilet.  Use Clean Shot in your HE washer to get rid of that musty smell or simply dissolve one tablet in a gallon bucket of water for basic bleach cleaning. Use Clean Shot for a better way to bleach! Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

DOLE PINEAPPLE DIPPERS

Introducing new Dole Pineapple Dippers! The goodness of Pineapple comes together with the rich indulgent taste of dark chocolate.  Fresh Frozen Pineapple Tidbits are covered in Rich, Decadent Dark Chocolate. Dole Pineapple Dippers come in portion controlled convenient packaging and have only 80 calories per pouch.  Snacking just got sweeter with new Dole Pineapple Dippers.  Simply grab a pouch from your freezer and enjoy anytime. Dole continues to reinvent Frozen Fruit by offering consumers easier ways to incorporate fruit into their diets, with an emphasis on Quality.  Dole has a large variety of other frozen fruit like Wildly Nutritious Blueberries, Ready-Cut Strawberry & Banana, Smoothie Shakers, Banana Dippers and Strawberry Dippers.  Dole is your brand for quality and innovation – they always bring healthy and delicious products to Market.  Indulge in Healthy Goodness! You can find Dole Pineapple Dippers in the Frozen aisle.

FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF

New FLONASE Allergy Relief outperforms the #1 allergy pill.* Allergies start when you breathe in allergens like pollen or pet dander.  Your body mistakes the allergen for an invader and your immune system responds. Your body’s natural response is to release multiple inflammatory substances that cause your allergy symptoms. FLONASE helps block 6 of your body’s responses to allergic substances – antihistamines stop just 1.** Prescription strength FLONASE is now available without a prescription.  That means the FLONASE you’ll find in the allergy aisle offers the same prescription strength, some 24-hour relief, same adult dosing as the FLONASE you used to get with a prescription. Look for Flonase Allergy Relief in the Allergy aisle. *Total nasal symptoms vs. leading allergy pill ** Mechanism vs. most OTC allergy pills.  FLONASE acts on multiple inflammatory substances (histamine, prostaglandins, cytokines, tryptases, chemokines and leukotrienes).  The exact number and precise mechanism unknown. Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

OPA by LITEHOUSE SALAD DRESSINGS

Greek yogurt is all the rage these days due to the creamy texture and great health benefits it provides.  Litehouse is delivering these benefits to you and your family by creating OPA, a delicious salad dressing that packs in twice the protein with fewer calories, while still providing the big flavors you expect from Litehouse. How did Litehouse do this?  They utilized the magic of Greek yogurt as a base for OPA by Litehouse dressings!  Available in Blue Cheese, Ranch, Feta Dill, Kalamata Feta and Roasted Pepper, OPA by Litehouse delivers the creamy texture and healthy benefits of Greek yogurt without compromising taste.  Feel great creating delightful meals for your family with OPA by Litehouse dressings, which are made fresh with no preservatives, no MSG and are gluten free! Look for OPA by Litehouse Salad Dressings in the Produce Department.

SIMPLY MASHED

Simply Mashed, now located above the refrigerator dough section in the Dairy case, introduces new flavors:                  Sweet Potato, Sour Cream & Chive, Garlic and Parmesan Peppercorn. Simply Potatoes takes all the work out of preparing mashed potatoes.  They peel, cook and mash the potatoes so you don’t have to.  Their mashed potatoes are made with fresh, never frozen potatoes, butter and a touch of cream so that they taste just like homemade, but without all the work.  With several great flavors to choose from, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Look for Simply Mashed Potatoes in the Dairy case. Written By: Ellie Wilson, MS, RD  Senior Nutritionist, Price Chopper Supermarkets At Price Chopper, we love your heart! Eating foods that support heart health is easy at Price Chopper. Our valued guests can use the NuVal “Nutrition Made Easy” scoring system to choose more healthful foods. This score summarizes 30 nutrients into one simple score, from 1 – 100. The higher the score, the better the nutrition in that food. Fruits and Veggies- More Matters For heart health, eating a lot of fruits and vegetables is powerful support – they bring us fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For this reason, fruits and vegetables earn the highest scores in the NuVal Scoring system – over 200 produce items have scores of 100! Seafood Savvy Eat at least 2 servings of fish each week, like salmon or tuna. Those fish contain the most omega-3 fatty acids, which have a proven effect on supporting great heart health. Seafood scores pretty high – salmon can have a NuVal Score of 93! Dairy Delivers 9 Essential Nutrients Choose low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese and yogurt.  Fat free milk has a NuVal score of 100, and some yogurts score as in the 90’s also. Light and lower fat cheeses are the best choices – use the NuVal Score to pick the best one in the flavors that you like. Fats should be cut down, not out.  Choose canola, olive, walnut, sunflower, safflower, soybean, and peanut oils. Saturated and trans fats are very harmful to our heart, and they really lower scores in food items that contain them. NuVal scores for bottled oils are around 19 – they are very high in calories, so a little goes a long way. Focus on Fiber to help with lowering cholesterol. Fiber can “trap” harmful fats and help remove them from our body. You will see high scores in the pastas, breads and cereals that contain more fiber and whole grains – several score in the 80’s and 90’s! Shake the Salt Habit to lower blood pressure and help the heart do its job more efficiently. The NuVal score is lowered in food items that are high in sodium. Check out higher scoring soups, for example – many soups are lower in sodium than they used to be, and also include lean meats and full servings of vegetables – their higher NuVal score will help them stand out in that category!