The holidays are a beautiful time of year. While it is important to give thanks for all we have, the holidays are also a wonderful reminder to give back. Price Chopper and Market 32 are proud to participate in Giving Tuesday, which takes place on November 28th this year. All teammates received a nomination form for a charity they feel should be recognized if they chose. A committee member was selected to evaluate all nominations and pick a winner from each state where our stores are located (New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania). Each charity that was chosen received a $1,000 grant by the company!
Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 and is recognized as a global day of generosity. Giving Tuesday has grown into a global movement that encourages people to give back, volunteer, donate, and do good.
“It’s a simple idea: whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building the better world we all want to live in (Giving Tuesday).”
2023 Winners:
Veterans Miracle: Albany, NY
The Veterans Miracle Center mission is to “offer Veterans and Active-Duty Military Personnel real solutions that will enhance their lives. We seek to provide clothing, personal care and hygiene products, houseware items, ambulatory equipment, toys for their children and much more — and all goods and services are available free-of-charge to Veterans and their immediate household.”
Learn more here!
Project Just Because: Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Project Just Because “helps struggling families in their times of greatest need by supplying basic necessities including warm clothing, food and school supplies. We are dedicated to serving as many men, women and children as possible in a caring and dignified environment. As a conduit between those who want to give and those in need, Project Just Because fosters a stronger, more empathetic community.”
Learn more here!
COTS: Burlington, Vermont
The COTS organization “advocates for long-term solutions to end homelessness and provide emergency shelter, services, and long-term housing for people who are experiencing homelessness or are marginally housed.”
Learn more here!
Bread for Life: Southington, Connecticut
“The mission of Bread For Life is to provide food, fellowship and a sense of dignity to those in need.Our vision is accomplished by providing meals served daily in our kitchen, delivered within our senior community and also to our home-bound citizens, and to children in the summer.”
Learn more here!
Visions for Creative Housing Solutions: Enfield, New Hampshire
“Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, a 501c3 nonprofit, is the recognized leader in providing permanent, secure homes for Upper Valley adults with developmental and similar disabilities. With two existing locations, and a third under development, Visions’ model has proven to promote self-determination, autonomy, and independence by providing tailored support that helps residents grow and thrive.”
Learn more here!
Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge: Dallas, Pennsylvania
“We work every day to provide the very best care to the animals at our shelter. We happily take them in and care for them until they find a forever home, or for as long as they need us to. We work to understand the animals first: by learning their personalities and dispositions, and determining what makes them anxious or scared, we are able to effectively place them in environments that make them happiest.”
Learn more here!
We would like to thank all teammates who submitted an organization, and a huge congratulations to our six winners!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Thanksgiving came and went in the blink of an eye. Our bellies are stuffed, and so are our refrigerators! What do you do now with all this leftover turkey? Whatever you do, don’t toss those leftovers! We have a few ideas up our sleeves to help you out. Let’s take a look…
Soup Ideas:
Turkey Chili: Warm and hearty turkey chili is a perfect leftover meal!
Instant Pot Tortellini & Vegetable Soup: Add in chopped leftover turkey as well as leftover veggies!
Salad Ideas:
Turkey Spinach Salad with Grilled Jalapeño-Lime Dressing: Nothing says a salad has to be boring! Spice it up with these delicious ingredients.
Spinach, Black Bean & Corn Salad with Chipotle-Cocoa Vinaigrette: Add your leftover turkey and corn to this salad for a nice, flavorful meal.
Sandwich Ideas:
Leftover Turkey Sliders: The name says it all! Use your leftover turkey, stuffing, rolls, and cranberries for this meal.
Open-Faced Turkey Melt: This turkey melt has sliced apples on the bottom which makes for a perfect sweet & salty combo!
Entrée Ideas:
Mac & Cheese with Turkey & Cheddar: This is a great lunch or dinner idea for the day after Thanksgiving!
Turkey Mole Fajita Bowls: This combination of food is sure to keep you full! An option here is to swap the rice with stuffing.
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Apple cider and apple cider donuts are a staple this time of year. The warm smell of apples fills the air and overloads our hearts with joy. Apple cider products are so well loved, that it has its own day – November 18th! Naturally, we are super excited about this day for many reasons, but one of the biggest reasons we are celebrating is because our M32 cider is produced from Northeast-grown apples. We partner with a variety of local cider mills in our region, like Vermont’s Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Beak and Skiff in Lafayette NY and more! Let’s check out these two below.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Waterbury Center VT
From apple cider to desserts to a full food menu, this cider mill has it all! During their peak autumn season, roughly 15,000 donuts and 4,000 gallons of apple cider will be made each day. Yes, you read that correctly!
Beak and Skiff, Lafayette NY
It all began in 1911 when Andrew Beak, a dairy farmer, and George Skiff, an onion farmer, teamed up to establish the very popular Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards. While many harsh weather conditions challenged their business over the years, the two men never stopped doing what they loved. Today, five generations have passed and Beak and Skiff is a booming business. Here you can find apple picking, cider tasting, a very large gift shop, and a café for apple cider donuts and many lunch items. Beak and Skiff Apple Orchard has something for the whole family!
We are proud to partner with these two local cider mills! Take a look at this delicious recipe below made with our Market 32 Apple Cider!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Who does not love a piece of warm bread with butter, especially today, National Homemade Bread Day? This time of year we are surrounded by freshly baked breads, including different fall and winter breads. There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air, filling your home with warmth and comfort. The art of baking homemade bread is a rewarding and therapeutic experience. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have the finest ingredients and bread recipes you can try this holiday season. Let’s check out a few!
Chocolate Chip Challah Bread with Pumpkin-Maple Butter:
Now that title is a mouthful! This bread recipe has the best combination of flavors and ingredients you must try!
This savory bread topped with sweet butter will be a huge hit at your holiday gathering!
We understand that life is busy, and not everyone has time to make homemade bread. We are proud to say that our bread is freshly made in the store daily! We have your back. Try out our delicious breads below!
Price Chopper and Market 32 are very excited to announce November’s Cheese of the Month to our customers – Jarlsberg Reserve. This cheese is particularly special because it is a brand new cheese to our market! Let’s take a deep dive into this cheese and see what makes it so delicious and unique.
Jarlsberg Reserve is naturally lactose free, making this suitable for those with an intolerance. This cheese is delicious on its own or spread on a charcuterie board. It pairs well with all sorts of fruit, nuts, and dark chocolate. Nothing like that sweet and salty combo!
Did you miss the last two Cheese of the Month blogs? Fear not! Check them out here:
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, CDN
National Diabetes Month
November is National Diabetes Month, and a chance to highlight how to reach a better balance of food and health when navigating the spectrum of diabetes diagnoses.
Prediabetes is an early-stage diagnosis – it shows metabolism is changing and signals a prime time to activate strategies that can reverse that change or delay development of diabetes. Diabetes Prevention Programs ₁ are offered free in many communities and may be available through your health insurance. The information and strategies offered support weight loss, including changing how the body uses and stores carbohydrates. A 5% weight loss can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 58%, and delay onset by about 8 years.
Insight – A recent study ₂ showed the order of eating a meal, meaning eating non-starchy vegetables, protein foods, then carbohydrate foods, can have a significant effect on weight loss and blood glucose levels. The pilot study showed participants with prediabetes lost weight, could make it work consistently in their lifestyles, and increased their vegetable intake – all keys to reducing risk of developing diabetes.
Because weight loss has such an impact on metabolism, the medications for diabetes that have shown they can rapidly lower weight have become popular, and demand is straining supplies for those with diabetes that need them. Those medications, called GLP-1 analogs, (such as Wegovy and Ozempic brands), extend the action of one hormone humans (GLP-1) make to signal satisfaction, lower appetite and slow down eating. But the cost and limited supply means we must prioritize them for those already managing diabetes. The good news is, we can eat foods that help raise GLP-1 hormone production. Foods high in certain types of fiber drive production of GLP-1. Fiber is also a key food component in whole grains and produce that supports weight loss, gut health and heart health. Only 1 out of 10 people eat sufficient fiber or produce, so adding more produce and whole grain fiber is a pathway to move your health forward a few bites at a time. ₃
Where to start? With foods you already enjoy. Double up the amount of veggies on your plate, add eat them first. Start the day with an apple or other whole fruit. Oatmeal and barley also contain the fibers that have the holistic impact of shifting fullness and supplying the preferred type of fiber for optimizing gut hormones and microbiome health.
Learn more about your Price Chopper and Market 32 stores! We have great resources to help you reach your best health. Our Pharmacy teams can assist with accessing supplies, medications and information through the Diabetes AdvantEdge program. The Know Your Colors nutrition guides can assist with choosing well, including Carb Smart, Whole Grain and Heart Smart choices that help make eating well easy and delicious.
Check out these recipes and links to get started on better balance!
- Diabetes Prevention Program
- Shukla AP, Karan A, Hootman KC, Graves M, Steller I, Abel B, Giannita A, Tils J, Hayashi L, O’Connor M, et al. A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of the Food Order Behavioral Intervention in Prediabetes. Nutrients. 2023; 15(20):4452. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15204452
- Martinez TM, Meyer RK, Duca FA. Therapeutic Potential of Various Plant-Based Fibers to Improve Energy Homeostasis via the Gut Microbiota. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 29;13(10):3470. doi: 10.3390/nu13103470. PMID: 34684471; PMCID: PMC8537956.
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Italian food is a delectable tapestry of flavors, textures, and traditions that have captivated the taste buds of people worldwide. From mouthwatering pasta dishes to wood-fired pizzas, and a variety of delightful desserts, Italian food has a lot to offer. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have everything from pastas to meatball mix and everything in between. Additionally, we are proud to say that our Italian bread is made fresh in store daily!
A brief Italian history lesson:
Italian food history spans over thousands of years. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Roman era when staples like grains, olive oil, and wine laid the foundation. Spices and other exotic ingredients were introduced during the Middle Ages. Today, many recipes and ingredients were produced from earlier traditions.
Have you checked out our Italian recipes? Take a look at some favorites below!
Pasta Fagioli: Cold days call for warm meals! This soup is loaded with Italian sausage, pasta, beans, and so much more!
Sheet-Pan Chicken Parmesan with Roasted Lemon-Garlic Broccoli: If you want to make this the more traditional way, add spaghetti or angel hair pasta!
Skillet Lasagna: Have you ever made lasagna in a skillet? If not, try this recipe out now!
Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Italian Sausage: Taking a twist on the traditional spaghetti and meatball recipe, this meal is sure to be a favorite!
Source:
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Can you believe it is November already? The end of the year brings all-things holidays, joy, love, and baking of course! Cream cheese is a staple in many United States households, but this time of year many will choose to bake with cream cheese. Whether you are making cheesecakes, cakes, brownies, or muffins, cream cheese adds a rich and creamy dimension that elevates your creations. At Price Chopper and Market 32, not only do we have a variety of cream cheeses, but we also have some incredible recipes on our website. Let’s explore some favorites!
- Cheesecakes are known for their dense, creamy texture. Price Chopper and Market 32 have many cheesecakes pre-made in the bakery, however, take a look at this Sweet Carrot Cheesecake and Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe if you would like to experiment on your own!
- What’s better than a pumpkin and cake combo? If you are looking for an easy recipe for a gathering, then you need to try this Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting!
- Blueberry French Toast Bake is the perfect Sunday morning breakfast! While the mornings are frigid, warm up with this delicious meal.
- Brownies are another common baking item that can be made with cream cheese to give it a dense, creamy texture. In our Red Velvet Brownie with Cookies & Cream Frosting recipe, you will explore making your own cream cheese to coat on the red velvet brownies.
Check out our YouTube for more recipes on baking with cream cheese!
Haleigh Eustis
Floral Intern
Day of the Dead or “Día de los Muertos” is an event that is commonly celebrated throughout the central and southern regions of Mexico. It is a celebration of deceased loved ones as their souls are welcomed back to Earth for twenty-four hours. This tradition is thousands of years old, dating back to the pre-Aztecs. Day of the Dead is celebrated with food, rituals and flowers. That’s right, flowers are used during Day of the Dead as a guide for souls looking to find their families. This is because of their vibrant and beautiful colors and decadent scent that flowers are a key component to this celebration. More specifically, the marigold or “flor de cempasúchil” is a popular flower for this celebration as its notorious musky smell is strong enough to lead souls to their families. Though marigolds are popularly used for Day of the Dead, there are plenty of other flowers that are used to decorate during the celebration for a variety of reasons!
Marigold: Marigolds are known for their musky smell and vibrant colors that flourish in the fall time. They’re an easy choice as they are beautiful and fairly inexpensive to cultivate. Besides their beauty, many of the flowers used during Day of the Dead have symbolism that makes them popular choices for commemorating deceased family members. Historically, marigolds are known to ward off evil spirits and symbolize positive energy and are referred to as the “Flower of the Dead.” Marigolds usually range from oranges to yellows as they are often compared to the sun (or light) to guide during Day of the Dead!
Chrysanthemums: Mum are a widely utilized flower during Day of the Dead as well. They represent friendship, trust, and optimism. More specifically, white mums are commonly used for this holiday. Their pure white petals and earthy scent is enjoyable on its own, but commonly white mums are used to decorate during the celebration because they represent purity and trust.
Baby’s Breath: Baby’s Breath is a classic accent flower, especially during Day of the Dead. These flowers are small and simple, but that doesn’t take away from their beauty. They’re a classic staple to bouquets and arrangements as they add a pop of color, and accent other flowers, such as marigolds! Their pure white petals in contrast to a marigold’s vibrant yellow and orange petals create a wonderful spectacle to the eye! These flowers are perfect for Day of the Dead as they represent everlasting love.
Cockscomb: Lastly, Cockscomb is a popular flower used during Day of the Dead as they are a vibrant red and used primarily as a religious symbol, as it’s referred to as the “Blood of Christ.” These add a beautiful pop of color to floral arrangements and withstand the hot heat for eight weeks!
Though flowers may be beautiful, their importance runs deeper than just an eye-catching piece of décor. Shop Price Chopper/Market 32 for your floral needs!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, CDN
Manager, Lifestyles and Wellness
BOO! Here it comes again, the official (unofficial) holiday of Halloween! There is no doubt, it is beloved by children and adults alike. The costumes, decorations and freaky/fun tricks and treats are wickedly delightful for those who participate before colder weather changes activity opportunities. To ensure it is fun for everyone, set expectations – your goblins and ghouls should know the food safety rules ahead of time to set the stage for happy smiles versus scowls and howls. Here are some ‘tricks” for caregivers hoping for a howling good time!
- Eat before treat – some great Halloween treat ideas to set the stage are right here (with spooky music!) on Price Chopper YouTube and Pinterest boards. That will make it easier to create the plan that parents/guardians must check items before eating. We have treats for adults too – pumpkin everything and fall favorites to fuel your fun is right here!
- Children should be taught – only to accept treats that are commercially wrapped. Throw away anything that is torn, has pinholes, or looks unusual in any way. Fresh fruit, if accepted, should be carefully checked and washed before eating.
- If your child has a food allergy, you already know that treats are tricky. Verify Epi-pens are not expired and are readily available. Always check the labels of each item. Some homes may have a teal-colored pumpkin to signal they have some treats without some allergens, but adults must still check the individual items before eating. The same goes for gluten free candy – The Celiac Disease Foundation has published their 2023 Gluten Free Halloween Candy list – you can download and print the pdf here.
- Ages and stages – some candies are choking hazards for smaller children. Gum, hard candies, peanuts and even small toys could be a concern. Check treats are appropriate and stay present while they are enjoyed.
- Managing added sugars at Halloween doesn’t have to be tricky! How much and how often should be part of the plan and discussed ahead of time to keep the howls to a minimum. A national poll shows 78% of parents plan for about two pieces of candy per day. That helps children learn candy can be part of eating well. In 2017, the Partnership for a Healthier America and the National Confectioners Association partnered to help with portion control and front-of-pack labeling, resulting in over 90% of candy and chocolates labeled to help your goblins and ghouls enjoy treats. Learn more at here.
- Enjoy the Halloween season – Top 10 ways to celebrate Halloween!
- Flashlights, candy, party supplies and more are all at our stores waiting for you to create a “monster” good time. Happy Halloween!
BWAH HA HA HAAAAA!!!!!!!