From the North Country to ABC’s Shark Tank: An Interview with Parker’s Maple We’re proud to support farmers and producers in the Northeast throughout the whole year: When it’s made or grown here, we get it here! We were recently able to speak with Alee Parker at Parker’s Maple in Canton, NY. She was kind enough to answer some of our questions about the company and its delicious maple products! PC: What is your process for making maple syrup? AP: When making maple syrup, our process is still the same as it was originally when we first began. We go out, tap the trees, and then when the sap is collected and ready we bring it to the production facility where we have osmosis machines and evaporators. PC: When is maple season and how long does it typically last? AP: The best time of year is when it is freezing temperatures at night, and then around 40 degrees and sunny during the day. This occurs around the spring; typically March is prime maple time. PC: Is tapping the trees harmful to the tree? AP: We haven’t seen any evidence of it hurting the tree. You do have to be careful that you don’t drill within three inches of where you drilled the year before. We, like all maple farmers, do take special precautionary measures to be cognizant and mindful of where we are drilling. As far as evidence of it hurting the trees, we haven’t seen any, our trees continue to grow bigger and bigger every year! PC: Do you have any products that would be considered organic? AP: Yes, our maple cotton candy! Our cotton candy is certified organic. PC: Do you add anything to your maple syrup? AP: Our syrup is 100% pure, real maple syrup. Our maple butter is 100% maple syrup with a small preservative added. PC: What does Parker’s Maple do to stand out? AP: We’re big on innovation, with a goal of “waking up” the sometimes sleeping maple category. We are innovating by creating products like our maple butter, and rebranding it to fit into the current nut butter craze. Our maple cotton candy is also super unique. Innovation is a huge part of what we do, and our mission is to educate people about the health benefits of maple syrup as opposed to granulated sugar, brown sugar, and honey. Plus, Josh has a unique story, starting the company with his dad at a very young age, so we like to talk about our story. PC: What’s your favorite part about working on a maple farm? AP: The excitement we get from customers and fans! People show up on any given day and we always get calls from people raving about our stuff. It helps all of our employees become excited about what we have going on. PC: You guys made a pitch on Shark Tank last year. What was it like presenting your brand on national television? AP: When Josh went on Shark Tank it was nerve-wracking! I think I was more nervous than he was. But he did a great job, and the national exposure we received from it was incredible. The number of orders that came in after the show aired were beyond anything we could have expected. It took us a month to fulfill all of the orders. It was amazing to see our company jump from being a local food company to a national brand overnight. PC: What’s your favorite thing about Price Chopper? AP: The people! The employees at our local Canton NY store are always so friendly and helpful. Plus, Price Chopper holds value to supporting local farmers and producers like us, which we’re very thankful for.   Props to Alee Parker for taking the time to chat with us! We pride ourselves on being able to offer local products in our stores, and that would not be possible without folks like Parker’s Maple. We’ll be sampling their syrup in the stores below – if you’re in the area stop by for a home.grown. taste!   Western Lights Syracuse Price Chopper, 11/10 12:30-6:30pm East Greenbush Market 32, 11/10 12:30-6:30pm Genesee Street Utica Price Chopper, 11/11 10am-4pm Brunswick Market 32, 11/11 10am-4pm Glenville Market 32, 11/11 10am-4pm Hudson Valley Plaza Market 32, 11/11 10am-4pm Clay Price Chopper, 11/11 10am-4pm Cicero Price Chopper, 11/11 10am-4pm Clifton Park Plaza Market 32, 11/11 10am-4pm Clifton Shoppers World Market 32, 11/12 10am-4pm The home.grown. Rundown on Some Underdog Winter Squashes Now that the weather seems like it’s finally cooling off for good: We offer a variety of tasty, local winter squashes that are perfect for your favorite cold weather meals! November is prime time for winter squashes, and we’re proud to source our hard squashes from farmers here in the Northeast, like Torrey Farms in Elba, NY, Plainville Farm in Hadley, MA, and Mazza Farms in Essex, VT. While many Northeast folks stick with classics like butternut and acorn for cooking and baking, there are a variety of other winter squashes out there that have just as much flavor: we’re here to shed some light on some of those lesser-known winter squashes. Some decorators use the underdog vegetables below on their front porches and fireplace mantles, but they’re actually delicious relatives to favorites like acorn and butternut. Check out the info below!   Sweet Dumpling Squash (pictured above) is a smaller winter squash averaging 4 inches in diameter and weighing less than one pound. Its shape is similar to that of an acorn squash, with an ivory colored skin and green, yellow, or orange stripes running vertically down the sides. Sweet Dumplings are extra tasty when cut in half, baked and drizzled with home.grown. maple syrup. Also, with their bowl-like shape they’re perfect for stuffing with meat, cheeses, and vegetables.   Delicata Squash is a smaller, underrated squash perfect for the winter. Being smaller than most other squash varieties, they are easy to cut and prepare. They have a sweetness to them that makes them very tasty, you don’t have to add anything. Also, unlike other types of squash, Delicata has a tender, tasty skin perfect for eating, and very convenient for preparing. You can eat them like fries, only they’re a much healthier alternative. In the words of Lloyd Zimmerman of Coxsackie’s Black Horse Farms, “they’re truly underrated!”   Butterkin Squash is a cross between a pie pumpkin and a butternut squash. They have a dark orange interior that is deliciously sweet and smooth in texture. Butterkins can be used to substitute in any dish that calls for butternut squash or cooking pumpkins. For the best preparation, cut the butterkin in half, place face down onto a foil lined baking sheet. Bake in 400F oven until soft. Remove the seeds and discard. Carefully scrape out the softened squash from the cavity and enjoy!   Baby Blue Hubbard Squash was developed in 1953 here in the Northeast by the University of New Hampshire. They have a sweet, yellowish flesh. Luckily, Baby Hubbard Squash is delicious to eat and simple to prepare. Try it roasted, cut into small pieces and tossed with rosemary, olive oil, salt, and pepper. It’s fantastic when served with roasted meats such as turkey, pork, or chicken.       One of the best perks of all winter squashes is the health benefits they provide. They’re a great source of vitamin A and C, potassium, and B vitamins and minerals, including copper and manganese. They’re very versatile and nutritious! No matter which type of squash you select, you can be confident that you’re making a healthy decision. They bring beautiful color and nutrition to your fall harvest meal! These underdog squashes may be lesser known, but they’re always a tasty addition to any cold weather meal. Between the different varieties there is plenty of selection, and numerous health benefits. This year, take a chance on one of these vegetables: you might just find a new favorite!   Written by Jane Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs November 5, 2017

SCOTCH-BRITE SCRUB DOTS SCRUB SPONGE

               We are excited to introduce the NEW Scotch-Brite Scrub Dots Scrub Sponges that cut through tough food and rinse clean, just like the Scrubbing Dish Cloth that Scotch-Brite introduced earlier this year. Newly invented Scotch-Brite Scrub Dots power through the toughest messes without trapping food.  Now your favorite cleaning tools scrub fast AND stay clean!  Scotch-Brite Scrub Dots Scrub Sponges are available in heavy duty for tough, baked on messes and non-stick cookware.  Non-Scratch Dish Cloths are available in multiple colors, dry quickly and are machine washable. Look for the Scotch-Brite Scrub Dot family in the Cleaning aisle. Written by Jane Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs November 5, 2017

WERTHER’S ORIGINALS – Cocoa Crème

The Werther’s Display features six of their top selling bags.  Each flavor delights in its own way, but all are made with the finest ingredients and an abundance of love and care. Please try the newest flavor, Cocoa Crème!  Cocoa Crème has rich indulgent chocolate on the inside with soft, creamy caramel on the outside and is the perfect treat.  Cocoa Crème is a wonderful combination of chocolate and caramel in one bite Look for the Werther’s Original Display near the Candy aisle.

We’re excited to announce that we’re teaming up with our Northeast neighbors at Beekman 1802! As our East Greenbush store joins the Market 32 family as its newest member, we’re introducing a series of Beekman 1802 sauces, condiments and more for East Greenbush shoppers to explore and enjoy. When it’s made or grown here, we get it here! Known as “The Fabulous Beekman Boys”, Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell are 2 former Manhattan executives who moved to Upstate NY during the recession. They bought a small goat farm in rural Schoharie County and turned their story into a multi-million dollar brand. As a married couple who lost their jobs during the recession, they’ve turned their struggles into the ultimate Great American Success Story. Beekman 1802 offers a unique group of small batch foods ranging from Bruschetta to Rosemary Creamed Honey, with a variety of items in between. Their line of “Mortgage Lifter” sauces showcases the Mortgage Lifter tomato, first grown in 1929 by a mechanic named Marshall Cletis Byles. Nicknamed “Radiator Charlie”, Byles began breeding large 1-2lb fruits that people went crazy over: so crazy that he sold enough to pay off his mortgage in just 4 years! Supporting our neighbors is the foundation of our home.grown. program and an important part of what we do as a local retailer, so when the opportunity came to team up with the Beekman Boys and Beekman 1802, we jumped at it. Stay tuned as we add Beekman 1802 products to additional stores! Written by Jane Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs October 29, 2017

TOFFIFAY

 Toffifay has a long history and was recently launched in the United States with a brand new packaging and positioning. Toffifay is irresistible on so many levels!  They spin chewy caramel into a little cup, drop in a whole hazel nut, cover it with chocolate hazelnut filling and top it with a drop of delicious chocolate. Each box has 12 pieces that can easily be shared with friends and also makes for the perfect treat.  “With Toffifay, you’re always in good company”. Look for Toffifay in or near the Candy aisle Written by Jane Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs October 29, 2017

DiGIORNO CRISPY PAN PIZZA

New DiGIORNO Crispy Pan Pizza rivals your favorite away from home Pizza parlor!

These new DiGiorno Pan Pizzas are topped with generous amounts of cheese that melts over the edge to create a perfectly caramelized crust. Nestle provides the pan, you bake up a piping hot and crispy pizza fresh from your oven! You will find three varieties in your Price Chopper/Market32 Freezer aisle – Pepperoni, Four Cheese and Supreme! It’s not delivery – it’s DiGIORNO!   BLUE DIAMOND NUT THINS NUT and RICE CRACKERS Written by Jane Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs October 22, 2017 Indulge in a scrumptious line of crispy Almond and Rice crackers from Blue Diamond Growers – the Almond People.  Blue Diamond is a 107 year old co-op of more than 3,000 Almond growers located in California. Leaders in quality and innovation, Nut Thins are the perfect snack made with California rice flour and real Blue Diamond Almonds. They are wheat and gluten free, Kosher, have no trans fats or artificial ingredients.  Nut Thins are a delicious, nutty cracker that are now available in a perfect 90 calorie snack pack – convenient on-the-go size.  Portable. The mini crackers are fun sized for a quick bite and the 90 calories are right sized for calorie conscious snackers.  Kids will love them too!  Mini Nut Thins are available in two irresistible flavors – Hint of Sea Salt and Cheddar Cheese. What more could you want from a delicious tasting cracker?  It must be the Almonds!! Look for Blue Diamond Nut Thins Nut and Rice Crackers in the Gluten-Free Section. Written by Jane Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs October 22, 2017

OUI by YOPLAIT

Oui by Yoplait French style yogurt is inspired by Yoplait’s traditional French recipe.  It starts with simple non-GMO ingredients, poured and set in individual glass pots for eight hours.  This creates a satisfying thick, subtly sweet, fresh tasting yogurt.  And that creates a moment of pure enjoyment in every spoonful. Every pot of Oui yogurt is crafted to perfection and poured and set in its own glass pot.  What does that mean?  Yoplait pours their simple non-GMO ingredients, like whole milk and real fruit into the pot and leave it to set for eight hours.  During this time, the culturing process takes place in each glass pot, and VOILA – milk transforms into a deliciously thick yogurt. Oui starts with simple, non-GMO ingredients like whole milk from cows raised on a diet of only non-GMO feed, pure cane sugar, real fruit and yogurt cultures.  Plus, no artificial flavors and no colors from artificial sources. Look for Oui by Yoplait in the Yogurt section of the Dairy aisle Written by Jane Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs October 15, 2017

DOLE ORGANICS

                After 167 years of trusting DOLE, fall in love with new refreshing DOLE Organic Frozen Fruit. DOLE’s family tradition is simple – bring the sweetest juiciest sun-ripened fruit from the farm to your home – so that you can nourish your family with the best that nature has to offer.  For over four generations, DOLE has been committed to the environment, their growers and the communities in which they operate.  To learn how, please visit doleintlcsr.com. DOLE Organics are available in the following varieties: Pineapple Chunks Blueberries Strawberries Mango Chunk Look for Dole Organics in the Frozen Fruit section of the Frozen Food aisle.