Written By: Ellie Wilson, MS, RD  Senior Nutritionist, Price Chopper Supermarkets

Kickoff Dairy Month with the Great American Milk Drive

When school lets out, many local children lose their regular access to the milk that is part of school breakfast and school lunch. This is a real loss of nutrition for those growing bodies, so Price Chopper and Garelick Farms are partnering with Feeding America foods banks to help get one of the most requested foods onto their table at home during the busy, active days of summer. From May 31st to June 27^th, you will find tear off pads at the milk case that allow you to add either a $2 or $4 donation for the purchase of fresh, wholesome milk to be distributed through local food banks and food pantries. All Price Chopper stores are participating, so it is easy to contribute to making summer healthier with delicious milk for families throughout our community. Milk with meals is one of the easiest, most economical ways to make any meal more nutritious – and it’s also very economical! One of the original “functional” foods, milk can also be a great sports recovery drink – add a little chocolate mix for extra carbs that refuel muscles, the high quality protein of milk also helps to build them. At Price Chopper, we are very proud of the quality of our milk and dairy products, so stay with us as we help you learn about the local farms and businesses that help us bring you the best we can to your family’s table! Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

BUSH’S NEW BROWN SUGAR HICKORY BAKED BEANS

Bush Brothers introduces their newest baked bean flavor just in time for your Summer Grilling! BUSH’S 28 oz. Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans are the newest copper can flavor since 2007, making it BUSH’S 10^th Baked Beans Flavor! Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans are slow cooked according to their Secret Family Recipe with brown sugar and a blend of spices in a sweet hickory sauce, making the sauce thicker and the flavor even richer. From family cookouts to special gatherings, Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans are perfect for whipping up recipes like Baked Beans Queso-dillas or Baked Beans & Bacon Mac & Cheese.  For more delicious recipes visit: BushBeans.com Look for Bush’s New Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans in the Baked Bean aisle.

JONES ALL NATURAL FULLY COOKED GOLDEN BROWN CHICKEN SAUSAGE

Visit our Meat Department and see what’s new from JONES DAIRY FARM: Jones All Natural Fully Cooked Golden Brown Chick Sausage Links.

All natural, no binders, fillers, preservatives or artificial ingredients.  No MSG or nitrates and Certified Gluten Free.  It’s a great source of lean protein, with 9 grams of protein per serving and 75% less fat than precooked pork sausage.

Wait until you see how good it tastes!  Jones Dairy Farm is a sixth generation, family owned business in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.  It was founded in 1889 by Milo Jones, inspired by his mother’s all natural homemade sausage recipes.  The Jones family has just celebrated their 125 year anniversary and still makes sausage with the same recipes that inspired Milo 125 years ago. Find Jones All Natural Fully Cooked Golden Brown Chicken Sausage in the Frozen Sausage section of the Meat Department and enjoy with no guilt!  Current CEO, Phillip Jones, guarantees you won’t be disappointed. Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

BUSH’S NEW SWEET HEAT BEANS

Bush Brothers introduces a new limited-edition baked bean!  BUSH’S 22 oz. Sweet Heat! Through September 2015, Bush’s will be offering their new Sweet Heat Beans, made with red beans, onions and serrano’s in a sweet and spicy chili sauce. For a quick and delicious dinner, simply heat and serve Bush’s Sweet Heat Beans with your favorite protein or vegetable.  This unique baked bean offer from Bush’s is packed with flavor and is so delicious that friends and family will ask for seconds! For delicious recipes, such as Bush’s Sweet Heat & Spicy Grilled Chicken, visit: BushBeans.com Look for Bush’s New Sweet Heat Beans, for a limited time, in the Baked Bean aisle.

BUSH’S SWEET HEAT SWEET & SPICY GRILLED CHICKEN

BUSH’S NEW SWEET HEAT BEANS

Bush Brothers introduces a new limited-edition baked bean! BUSH’S 22 oz. Sweet Heat! Through September 2015, Bush’s will be offering their new Sweet Heat Beans, made with red beans, onions and serrano’s in a sweet and spicy chili sauce. For a quick and delicious dinner, simply heat and serve Bush’s Sweet Heat Beans with your favorite protein or vegetable. This unique baked bean offer from Bush’s is packed with flavor and is so delicious that friends and family will ask for seconds! For delicious recipes, such as Bush’s Sweet Heat & Spicy Grilled Chicken, visit: BushBeans.com Look for Bush’s New Sweet Heat Beans, for a limited time, in the Baked Bean aisle.                                BUSH’S SWEET HEAT SWEET & SPICY GRILLED CHICKEN                                                        Servings: 4                                                        Preparation Time: 5 minutes                                                       Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 2 teaspoons Kosher salt                                     1-1/2 teaspoons Brown Sugar 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika                            1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil                   4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts 1 can (22 ounces) BUSH’S Sweet Heat Beans

1. Combine salt, brown sugar, paprika, cayenne pepper and olive oil in a small bowl and whisk. 2. Place chicken breasts in 1-gallon zip-top bag. Pour marinade over top, close bag and turn chicken breasts until evenly coated in mixture. 3. Place bag in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. 4. Lightly oil grill grate. Grill chicken over indirect heat for 18 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, or until juices run clear and internal temperature of chicken is at least 165 degrees F. Watch carefully to prevent burning. 5. Serve with BUSH’S Sweet Heat Baked Beans

CLIF ORGANIC TRAIL MIX BARS

 CLIF Organic Trail Mix Bars are great-tasting certified USDA organic snack bars crafted with wholesome nutritious ingredients like fruit, whole nuts and chunks of dark chocolate. CLIF Organic Trail Mix Bars deliver a delicious snack that is certified USDA organic, gluten free, 200 calories or less and are a good source of fiber. CLIF Organic Trail Mix Bars are available in the following varieties: Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Coconut Almond Peanut Cranberry Almond Wild Blueberry Almond Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Raspberry CLIF’s commitment to helping create a more sustainable food system means CLIF Organic Trail Mix Bars are certified USDA organic. Look for CLIF Organic Trail MIs Bars in the Nutrition Bar section! Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

OFF! CLIP-ON and OFF! MOSQUITO LAMP

It’s time to “Get Back Out There” and enjoy the Great Outdoors!  But, mosquitoes can keep you from enjoying your favorite outdoor activities. That’s why the OFF! Family of insect repellents protect you from the threat of annoying mosquitoes.  The newly designed OFF! Clip-On provides protection you don’t spray on, while the new OFF! Mosquito Lamp protects an area 10X larger than the leading citronella candle.  So Get Back Out There. Look for OFF! Clip-On and OFF! Mosquito Lamp on the SC Johnson rack.

Raid® KILLS BUGS DEAD!

Along with the wonders of Spring come the bugs.  Now Take Back Your Home with Raid® products. Raid® products are designed to work together as a system to outsmart the bugs.  Sprays ATTACK and kill bugs on contact.  Baits and foggers CONTROL and kill bugs at the source.  And barriers PREVENT by keeping bugs out. Visit Raidkillsbugs.com to identify your bug, customize your system, get answers from Raid® experts and watch demos and how-to videos. Raid® Kills Bugs Dead! Look for Raid® items on the SC Johnson rack. Written By: Ellie Wilson, MS, RD  Senior Nutritionist, Price Chopper Supermarkets

STORY FARMS – Catskill, NY

 The day was warming up as dietetic intern Kelly Smith and I pulled into Story Farms. Our first impression was that it was beautiful – fields ready to plant, high top green houses on one side, big old classic red barn on the right.

We met with James Story, part of the family team that includes his father Jim, brother Mark, and his uncle Matt and cousin Matthew. The farm is over 100 years old, and they farm over 700 acres. One brother and a cousin handle the dairy side of the farm, with about 40 cows. Like most of our farmers, his family started working with Price Chopper by delivering to local stores. They have worked with Price Chopper for over 10 years. This is a very diverse farm -potatoes are one of their main crops, as well as sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, winter squash, and pumpkins. They also grow timothy, alfalfa, hay and field corn. The high top greenhouses in their fields are a little unique – these are a somewhat portable design, and they are built every year in a new place on the farm, to protect the health of the soil and plants. They were just planting the tomatoes that day, a little behind their schedule because the windy weather over the course of the previous week had prevented them from putting the plastic over the ribs of the building. James shared that this is the first of three plantings for tomatoes – one high top greenhouse planting, and two in the fields later in spring and summer. They also plant sweet corn, which is his favorite vegetable, eaten raw, right from the field.  When asked how we can help people eat more of our great produce, James offered he thought the best way would be to show them how easy it is to enjoy it, and that the prep really only takes a minute or two. Story Farms is always checking out new varieties of crops, and they embrace their tried and true varieties as well. James shared that he loves farming – there is something different to do every day. They all looked pretty busy, so we kept our visit short and sweet, but we will be back to see how pretty this farm will be when the fields are green with plants.

Written By: Ellie Wilson, MS, RD  Senior Nutritionist, Price Chopper Supermarkets

Springboard – planting in full swing at Black Horse Farms Greene County is home to Black Horse Farms, and with leaves and buds popping out on trees and bushes, it was starting to live up to its name when dietetic intern Kelly Smith and I visited at the end of April. One of the largest vegetable growers in New York State, Lloyd Zimmerman and his family has made farming a family business. Lloyd moved into farming on his own, with a little help from his parents, in the early 1960’s, and his business now employs both of his daughters, a son-in-law, and three grandsons. A true diplomat, Lloyd was careful to tell us that his wife, Mary Lou, is the real boss.

We toured multiple green houses on a clear, warm morning – they have about 40 all together. We saw the planting g room, where a machine helps workers push dirt into seedling planters, and greenhouses full of pumpkin and pepper plants, tomatoes, rosemary, and flowers. The Zimmerman’s grow all of their own plants, which has been the practice of most of the farmers I have seen so far, though some items may come from different farms that just supply growing plants to farmers. Cabbage is being planted in the field today, and tomatoes will go into fields in May.

Price Chopper has been working with Lloyd for most of his farming career – a great long term partnership that brings delicious, local New York State produce to many of our stores. I am looking forward to seeing how everything is growing throughout the season. Spoiler alert – I am also going to working with Lloyd’s daughters, the next generation of Zimmerman farmers – check back on the blog for stories about women in farming! Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

CREST SENSI-STOP STRIPS

Introducing Crest Sensi-Stop Strips – a new product technology that allows you to get tooth sensitivity relief like never before.

Crest Sensi-Stop Strips provide immediate relief and up to one month of protection – allowing you to enjoy things in life without tooth sensitivity pain!  Crest Sensi-Stop Strips are thin flexible strips that contain a professional-level desensitizing gel on one side.  The unique strip is designed to cover the outer gum line of your sensitive teeth for just ten minutes, giving the special ingredient time to build a tasting barrier that helps stop sensitivity pain.  The strips target a specific area of your mouth that’s suffering from tooth sensitivity.  If you have more than one sensitive area, apply a strip to each area.

Look for Crest Sensi-Stop Strips in the Oral Care aisle.

MRS. DASH TABLE BLENDS

 Challenged by chicken?  Baffled by beef?  Exhausted with eggs?  Add a bold seasoning statement with all-natural Mrs. Dash. Mrs. Dash Table Blends is available in four new varieties: Mrs. Dash Sweet Southern BBQ Table Blend Mrs. Dash Spicy Pepper with Garlic Mrs. Dash Savory Lemon with Herbs Table Blend Mrs. Dash Roasted Garlic with Herbs Table Blend Visit MrsDash.com for quick and easy recipes and delicious ways to spice up your meals. Look for Mrs. Dash Table Blends on the Spice Aisle. Written By: Ellie Wilson, MS, RD  Senior Nutritionist, Price Chopper Supermarkets

Spring in the Berkshires – Kinderhook Creek Farm

April 2015

The cold weather was leaving Kinderhook Creek farm more slowly than the other farms I have visited so far this spring – but there was still plenty of action to be found there. The combination of a deeply cold winter, a slow spring thaw, and elevation (875 feet above sea level) put Kinderhook Creek Farm on a slightly different timeline compared to farms in valleys and flats. Warm weather usually catches up across the growing season, so rarely is there any change in harvest time that can be felt by those of us waiting eagerly for their crops. Corn varieties were chosen some time ago, and the seed is in farm storage waiting for the earth to warm up just a little more. The cold weather actually has some soil benefits – it helps to keep some pests controlled.

 Sweet, delicious and popular bicolor corn is the primary crop of this farm, though they also plant field corn, hay, and a market garden, raise Angus cattle, and grow yellow corn for specific markets.  As they wait for the ground to warm, equipment is being readied after being maintained, repaired or updated this past winter. The corn planter was out in the yard – farmer Larry Eckhardt was showing me the seed closer in the picture I have here – the wheel pushes dirt onto the seed after the machine plants it, the equivalent of tapping it with a hoe.

The big green tractor got “new sneakers” this winter – $4500 worth of tires, which includes the special service for installation – Larry and his families do not have the special tools for big tractor tires in their farm shop. Farmers have some unique costs – that tire bill made me feel a little better about the new tires I need for my car this spring! I wished Larry and Heather and their two sons warm, sunny weather for planting, and we will check in on them in a few weeks to see what is “growing on”! Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

CAMPBELL’S CHUNKY BAKED BEANS

Introducing new Campbell’s Chunky Baked Beans! Slow cooked with a balance of sweet and savory flavors that fill you up!  Campbell’s Chunky Baked Beans are an excellent source of fiber, good source of protein, low in cholesterol and are low in fat. They are hearty mouth-watering side dishes that go with almost any dish.  Be sure to add them to your next family meal. A definite crowd pleaser with three delicious flavors, something for everyone – Original, Bourbon & Brown Sugar and Maple Bacon & Beer. Look for these brand new Chunky Baked Beans from Campbell’s in the Soup aisle.

OLD EL PASO REFRIGERATED SALSAS & DIPS

Start Somewhere Fresh!  Old El Paso continues its tradition of delivering great tasting products as the #1 brand in the Mexican Food category.  That tradition has now expanded into the refrigeration section. Old El Paso Refrigerated Salsas & Dips are “Truly Fresh” – made from farm fresh (never drummed or canned) tomatoes, onions and cilantro.  Chopped at the height of their freshness and immediately packaged and sealed fresh – never cooked, retaining all of their natural farm fresh flavor for a superior Old El Paso experience. Available in five varieties: Medium – a great tasting traditional salsa Cilantro – for those who prefer that extra flavor that only cilantro can bring Chipotle – a little extra heat and the smoky chipotle flavor Black Bean & Corn – a perfect blend of this traditional offering Creamy Tomato Cilantro Dip – a specialty sour cream based dip that is to die for! Treat yourself to these exceptional new products.  You’ll find Old El Paso Refrigerated Salsas & Dips in the Dairy aisle. Written By: Ellie Wilson, MS, RD  Senior Nutritionist, Price Chopper Supermarkets

  Fresh Farm Stories – Reeves Farm, Springing to Life!

 Though our spring has “taken the long way ‘round” to get here, every nuance of change in the weather is a signal to our farming community that there is work to be done. On April 22nd, I went out to visit two of the family farms we work with – Reeves Farm in Baldwinsville, N.Y., and Shaul’s Farm in Middleburgh, N.Y. At Reeves farm, I spent the morning with fifth generation farmer Karin Reeves. Karin returned to the family farm after a successful career in human resources in Washington, D.C., bringing her National Guard husband with her. She earned an MBA while in Washington, which is serving the farm well – farms have a lot of regulations to navigate, and they must also manage expenses and sales, forecast business needs and challenges, and create business linkages like any other business. The weather runs the show now – the field where I walked through rows and rows of tomatoes last summer was tilled for corn the previous Sunday. The season doesn’t know week days from weekends, and with the rain that was forecast for the entire coming week, they tilled on Sunday so they could plant. If they had waited until after the rain began, they might have been held up the whole week because it would have been too wet to till. The real action right now is in the greenhouses. They have peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and cabbage all seeded and growing. They have separate greenhouses and fields for organic tomatoes – there are strict rules around organic planting and field management. The corn is planted in the fields, under plastic in rows and rows in the fields around the farm. They rotate the fields each year, and they will have more than one planting of different crops – peppers will be planted three or four times!

Check out all the plant babies – it will be fun to see them grow and change through the spring and summer, check the blog regularly for updates!