At Price Chopper and Market 32, we know one thing – making sure we have the best quality foods in our own brands brings value and enjoyment to our customers and communities. In business over 80 years, we also know that working with our local agricultural producers is a great way to deliver on that promise, and our PICS long process, naturally aged, award winning cheddar is a great example.   Did you know – the most popular cheese in America is cheddar? This spring, with friends from the American Dairy Association Northeast, I visited the cheese makers that create this wonderful cheese, and saw firsthand how hard they work to make it. We partner with Great Lakes Cheese Company, located in Adams, NY, in the heart of New York dairy country. They have been here over 40 years, and are committed to the New York North Country, so much so that they doubled production capacity in 2009. Experts that have crafted their process over time, they make several types here – mild, sharp, and extra sharp New York cheddar cheese to name a few. They also process the whey portion as part of sustainability efforts and for new product ingredient markets.   John Jennings, Plant Manager for over 40 years, and Nathan Pistner, Assistant Plant Manager, were proud to show us the inner workings of this modern facility, and most proud of their 122 employees. There is a lot of workmanship in this cheese – over 300 years of combined expertise on first shift alone!   By the numbers, they receive 2,500,000 pounds of high quality milk from local dairy farms like Murcrest Farms per day, which becomes over 87 million pounds of cheese per year. (Cheese heaven?!) The farms they work with must meet high standards for cow care. Like the farms, this is a 24- hour, 365 days per year operation – cows don’t take any days off. They use natural ingredients, and move the cheese through the process using air, to protect the curd integrity and texture. These steps ensure a premium, reliable, delicious cheese on your table every time! The tour showed us all of the work and time that goes into making this cheddar – there are quality tests built into every step, and they continue throughout the entire year of aging. Once they have the cheese in production, and process the whey, they turn the remaining liquid back into clean water that helps keep the plant clean – another sustainability process they are very committed to. Tradition and technology are part of making sure they are serving their own communities and partners well. You will be sure to enjoy these wonderful cheddars, as a great snack, or as part of a new recipe – check out the links below for some delicious ideas! https://www.pricechopper.com/recipes/7865/Jalapeno-Cheddar-Cheese-Corn-Muffins https://www.pricechopper.com/recipes/14338/Mini-Apple-Pies-with-Cheddar https://www.pricechopper.com/recipes/10988/Cheddar-Stuffed-Mini-Meatloaves-with-Chipotle-Glaze  – this would be a great stuffed burger, too! — Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist   Written by Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN  Senior Nutritionist   Resolutions abound in the New Year, particularly those that connect food and health. Weight loss is still top of mind for many after the indulgence of the holidays, but more and more, emphasis is being put on adding nutrition benefits over cutting calories. We have plenty of ways to help you enjoy a fresh take on being well this year.   Fruit and Veggie Hacks More matters, and there are so many easy ways to add produce to your day. Our Fresh Express salad section keeps bringing new ideas to your table! Enjoy easy prep and great salad variety with added flavor and nutrition boosts from cheese, pepitas, nuts, and fruit accents, included right in the package. Dole and Welch frozen fruits, and PICS frozen vegetables are adding more varieties to their ranks, and make it easy to enjoy smoothies, yogurt parfaits, and inspired oatmeal combinations, and quick dinner prep. Beverage Bonanza Keep an eye on beverages all over the store – super seltzers, enhanced waters, drinkable yogurts, teas, added probiotics, and lower calories are all themes in new items and refreshed favorites. Good Fats Nuts rule, and Emerald 100 calorie packages help you max the benefits and manage the calories. Avocados continue to climb higher on the health (and taste!) ladder. Add just a little more olive or canola oil to your recipes and enjoy supporting your healthy heart. Protein Power Convenient servings and packages help you eat well at home and include a wide variety of lean proteins – check out frozen grilled chicken and deli tubs, string cheese and new options with yogurt and cottage cheese. The trend toward plant protein is also powering up in a lot of delicious and interesting food products. Many new items are designed to help you easily and quickly add delicious ancient grains, lentils, beans and pea protein to your table and snacks. These are just a few of the food trends you will see as we ring in a healthy New Year – we can’t wait to share them all! For recipes and inspiration, visit our New Year New You Pinterest board!