Mia Teal
Paid Media Marketing Coordinator
There is nothing like sitting by the pool on a warm summer day, drink in hand, and not a care in the world. We want to make sure you have what you need to kick back, unwind, and make the most refreshing drinks that are ideal for any summer occasion. What better way to try a new fruit cocktail (or mocktail) than today, National Fruit Cocktail Day?
At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a large variety of PICS seltzers, sparkling water, and club soda in all sorts of fun and fruity flavors. With both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options at hand, we have what it takes for the best summer possible!
Bourbon Cherry Smash: This drink is bursting with different flavors including cherry, lemon, lime, and orange. Be sure to pick up your favorite PICS seltzer in the water aisle and our PICS lime juice in the produce department.
Tart & Juicy Sparkling Punch : Fruit galore! Try this mix with or without alcohol. You won’t be disappointed!
Citrus-Basil Spritzer : This non-alcoholic drink is nothing short of refreshing on a summer day!
Spring Cocktails : Blueberries, raspberries, lemon, lime, and basil…what combination could be better?
Shop Our Summer Drinks and Seltzers
Interested in trying these drinks? Check out our Price Chopper and Market 32 Youtube Page to learn how!
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Today is a day full of delicious food, fun drinks, and lots of laughs. We put together a few of our favorite recipes to help you celebrate. Once you bite into these tasty dishes, you will find yourself completely immersed in the holiday spirit!
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip: Our Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip is a superstar in the appetizer game. All of the essential Cinco De Mayo flavors shine together in this dish, making it a must try during your at home fiesta.
Navajo Tacos: A classic taco recipe with a bit of a twist. Dinners roll are used in the place of a tortilla, evenly topped with your favorite taco ingredients. Count us in!
Super Guacamole: Our Super Guacamole is simple to make while featuring all of the enhancements necessary for the ultimate guac dish. After all, we call it “Super” for a reason!
Mexican Street Corn: Mexican Street Corn adds a refreshing, extra flavorful option to your rotation. Easy to make and versatile, if you don’t want it off the cob try it as a salad.
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail: What would Cinco De Mayo be without a cocktail? We recommend our Mexican Shrimp Cocktail. From shrimp, to avocados and hot sauce it’s got everything you need to celebrate the right way!
Try any of these options, or browse our recipes page for more excellent dishes to make at home. No matter how you plan on spending your day, we have everything you need to make it perfect.
Happy Cinco De Mayo!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
The love of a pet is like no other. After all, pets are family who we cherish and adore. On National Pet Parents Day, we want to give a special shoutout to all the pawsome pet parents out there. Thank you for all you do to keep your little friends happy and healthy.
We want to call out some ways in which you can keep your pets safe around the house. This time of year, we like to fill our homes with all the beautiful colors of flowers and plants. However, some can be toxic to our pets. These include: lilies, azaleas, marijuana, amaryllis, tulips, aloe, and daffodils. Check out other toxic and non-toxic plants here.
Other ways to keep your pets safe is by ensuring that they are not ingesting human food or chemicals from the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure that when you are preparing a meal, all scraps are picked up and properly disposed of. Some foods that may be harmful to pets include chocolate, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, chives, raisins, and grapes. Read more here to learn about other harmful human foods.
Regarding chemicals and other cleaning supplies, it is a good idea to keep all of these on a high shelf. Additionally, if you do need to keep your supplies low to the ground, consider child-proof latches for these cabinets. As we know, pets can be very curious!
Consider checking out these sources below for any further information!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Spring is a time for new beginnings. All around us, trees are blossoming, the birds are chirping, and life is getting more beautiful by the day. Another important aspect of spring that we like to honor is Earth Day. Even though the day has passed, we want to help you make Earth Day, everyday! Part of helping out our planet is by lessening, or eliminating food waste in the household. Did you know that over 100 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States each year? Those numbers are nothing short of frightening. Luckily, we have ways to help you combat the fight against food waste. What better day to start than today, National “Stop Food Waste Day?”
- Freeze/Store Leftovers: There are so many products that can be frozen. For example, if you bought too much meat this week, you can freeze it instead of throwing it away. Other items that can be put in the freezer include bread, fruit, vegetables, and more! If you do make too much one night, try storing it for your lunch or dinner the next day.
- Meal Plan: Set a day each week to sit down with your family and meal plan. For example, you could create a dinner outline to map out what the main course meal will be, what sides you plan to have, and any refreshments. Do this for each day of the week so that when you go to the grocery store, you already know what to buy and how much.
- Check expiration dates: How many times have you gone through your refrigerator, only to find an expired product that you completely forgot about? We’ve all been there. Regularly going through your refrigerator and pantry to check expiration dates is a huge step in the right direction! A helpful tip would be to locate items that are expiring soon and move them towards the front.
- Make a meal from a meal: There are always options to use your leftovers to make another meal. Examples of this include soup, sandwiches, and salads. Check out our recipes website or our Price Chopper Ready website for delicious meal ideas that can be made from your initial meal.
Donate: The next time you go through your pantry and find food that you no longer want or need, consider donating these products to your local food bank. Unsure of where to drop off your food? Check out Feeding America’s website to locate a food bank near you!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Calling all cheese addicts! You know that feeling when cheese just melts in your mouth and makes you want more? That’s exactly what we deliver with our grilled cheese recipes. The month of April is National Grilled Cheese Month, and we are here to help you indulge in all the cheesy goodness! Don’t believe us? Just look at these recipes below! Our next level recipes will take your taste buds to a cheesy paradise.
Pear Grilled Cheese on Raisin Bread: The sweetness of cold pears with the saltiness of warm cheese makes for the perfect sandwich. Better yet, the raisin bread takes this sandwich to a whole new level.
Jumbo Lump Crab Salad & Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Now THIS is the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich! This hearty meal will satisfy the taste buds of all who try!
Smashed Blackberry, Basil & Camembert Grilled Cheese: This five-ingredient grilled cheese is perfect if you are in a time crunch! With berries back in season, try adding in raspberries or strawberries as well.
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
With Earth Day being celebrated tomorrow, we have a heartwarming story that corresponds with our commitment to help keep our Earth, and fisheries, sustainable! A special thank you to Johnstown, store #012 for making this story possible.
On March 27, 2023, the Johnstown seafood department noticed they had received a pregnant lobster. The store immediately took action. They isolated the lobster in the cooler, started making calls and writing emails to bring this lobster back to sea. After proper instruction, the store took the utmost, gentle care with this lobster and made sure she was safely and comfortably packed so she could be shipped back to Maine.
Once this lady was received, marine biologist Curt Brown cut a notch into one of her tail flippers, which signifies that she is a proven breeder. From here on out, she will be illegal to keep again, even after she releases her eggs. The lobster has been returned back to her home at sea.
Brown noted that the efforts made at Johnstown Price Chopper will result in 10,000 lobster eggs being released this spring! We are incredibly proud of our teammates for saving her life, and allowing thousands of baby lobsters to be born.
Thank you, Johnstown!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, CDN
Every January, you resolve to get more active and be better connected to your health, and, for many, life happens, and your plans get moved aside. But you know you will feel better, lower blood pressure, maintain healthier weight, strengthen heart and bones, and so much more if you can create sustainable routines. Therefore, making it easy to get going and keep moving will help you hit your health and movement targets and be the healthier person and family you want to be!
First – understand that every move counts. For adults, that means walking around the office, gardening, house cleaning, lifting or mowing – whatever you do as part of your day on a regular basis. For children, it may mean walking to the bus stop or school, playing in a park or backyard, doing chores and playing sports. Think about how much you are moving, and how much your family moves – could you do more?
Second – consider how you feel. How is your energy? How well are you sleeping? For children, ask the same questions – are they chronically cranky? Sleep 8+ hours per night? Getting more active can really change energy management – literally, energy creates energy! Moving more also lowers the negative energy of anxiety that impacts overall wellness and facilitates better sleep due to the energy “cost” of physical movement. Better sleep = better energy, and creates a positive feedback loop you can tap into to keep everyone on a better schedule.
Third – set the stage to move more. What do you like to do, or what would you like to try? Set yourself up for success by making it easy to get going. Headed to work? Put your sneakers in your work bag and walk at lunch or stop and walk in the park on the way home. Kids getting restless? Take a family walk! Many families have a Sunday meal together – how about a Sunday morning hike? Try 2 or 3 different places in your area to keep it fresh and enjoy different environments. Get other family members to share their ideas and give everyone a chance to lead the way! Count steps with the apps built into phones and add them up each week.
Finally – set goals and give credit for effort, versus only the result. Can you walk the neighborhood twice per week? How can you make it 3 times? Or can you walk for 10 minutes this week, and make it 15 minutes next week? Praise partners and children for the work/play and for trying – with a side of how to recover or understand that no one is an expert at any activity the first time they try it! Share your excitement about a new option or a favorite activity – that builds confidence and memories for family members, and models being adventurous and open to new ideas.
Enjoy moving toward a higher quality of life!
Written by our friends at Green Mountain Energy
When it comes to living greener, mealtime is the right time to make a big difference. Though you may not realize it, our eating habits can be harmful to the environment. Here are a few mindful practices that can make it easier to eat and live more sustainably, courtesy of Green Mountain Energy.
Mindful eating
Mindful eating means knowing where your food comes from. Livestock production requires much more food, water and energy use than it takes to produce plants. To offset this, prioritize produce and cut back on animal products like meat, dairy and eggs.
Sustainable plant agriculture (like low-carbon production and avoiding pesticides) and animal agriculture (like buying local and considering the health and well-being of the animals) leads to a healthier life and greener lifestyle.
Cooking at home
Homemade meals give you more control over your choices, starting with local, eco-friendly ingredients, and ending with how much food you waste.
Food waste accounts for about 21% of landfill volume. As it spoils in the heat, it releases gases that harm the planet. There are easy ways to whittle down food waste, like using every part of the vegetables you eat, like broccoli stems, and composting leftover scraps for your garden. Read more about how to eliminate food waste in this blog.
Safe, sustainable serving
At Green Mountain Energy, we’re working to show people how every single decision we make can help or harm the environment, down to the plates we use at dinnertime. You can dish up a side of sustainability at every meal by considering what you eat it on and how you serve it.
Your dinnerware comes in direct contact with your food, so choose chemical-free and non-toxic options.
Go a step further with recyclable, American-made and eco-friendly dinnerware. Wood, bamboo or recycled-glass materials are great options. Also look for renewable materials when it comes to cutting boards, placemats and more.
Smart storage
Use reusable bowl covers or organic cotton wraps like these instead of plastic wrap. For storage containers, skip the plastic variety and opt for recycled glass or stainless steel.
Storing food properly is important, and that includes knowing how long you can store it. Freshness maximizes food safety and quality. Fish should remain in the fridge no longer than two days, while meat should be eaten between two and four days after being stored. Remember, produce lasts much longer and is better for your body and the planet. Check out the expiration dates for all your favorite foods here.
Keep your green momentum going
When it comes to food, use sustainable practices for the health of yourself and the planet. But don’t stop there! We’ve gathered up more simple tips for cultivating an Earth-friendly lifestyle on our blog here.
Our favorite way to live greener is also one of the easiest: choosing to use clean electricity in your home. We’ve partnered with Market 32 to make going green even more rewarding, featuring 100% renewable energy plans that let you save at the checkout line. Learn more here.
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
It is that time of year again where many people will start up gardening. Gardening is a great way to save money on your favorite vegetables and get a great deal of exercise in as well. Additionally, did you know that gardening actually helps the environment? Growing your own vegetables helps reduce carbon emissions. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get growing!
Tips & Tricks on Gardening Favorites
We picked out three commonly grown vegetables and provided some tips and tricks on how to succeed this gardening season. Find out how below!
Tomatoes:
- Tomatoes, like people, love the sunshine! Make sure that your tomatoes are in a position where they will get ample sunshine to grow strong.
- Tomato plants can be planted a lot deeper than other vegetables. A full two-thirds of the plant should be underground. Seeds should be planted one-eighth of an inch underground. By planting tomatoes deeper in the soil, you are allowing for stronger, more resilient roots.
- Tomato plants need 1-2 inches of water in total per week. Remember not to do this all at once.
Peppers:
- Unlike tomatoes, peppers must be in a shaded area, as they are very sensitive to heat.
- Peppers require 1-2 inches of water per week, but make sure to space out your waterings. Peppers need days in between for dryness. Slow dousings of water are beneficial for peppers.
- Plant peppers 18-24 inches apart.
Carrots:
- Carrots require a lot of sunshine – about 6-10 hours a day.
- Carrots are slow to germinate. They typically require 2-3 weeks to emerge, so don’t give up on these guys!
- Water carrots frequently, but do not douse them as you would with peppers. A shallow watering will do.
As you start harvesting your crops, you will want to make some homemade meals out of them. Check out some of our recipes below!
Grilled Veggie & Quinoa Bowl: This fresh blend of vegetables includes tomatoes, corn, green onions, and avocado, however, add in more of your garden vegetables for even more color!
Zucchini-Vegetable Rolls: With only 5 ingredients, this is a great appetizer to put out for your Mother’s Day or Memorial Day celebration. The only ingredient you would have to purchase is the PICS cream cheese!
Shrimp and Grits Stuffed Peppers: Fresh peppers from the garden with delicious seafood and grits…Need I say more?
Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad: What is an outdoor barbeque without the pasta salad? Better yet, you have our permission to brag about your freshly-grown garden vegetables in this salad!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Looking to add a touch of Southern charm to your cooking? Look no further than our buttermilk selection! Our collection of delectable buttermilk recipes includes everything from classic fried chicken to tangy salad dressings. With buttermilk, you can make your favorite dishes even more delicious. Whether popcorn steak bites with buttermilk, pancakes or scones, buttermilk adds a richness that can’t be beaten. Impress your friends and family with our easy buttermilk recipes that will have everyone asking for seconds.
We are proud to say that our buttermilk is a home.grown. product of the Northeast! It’s produced in New York from the milk of Northeast dairy cows.Take a look at our recipes below, and be sure to grab a bottle of buttermilk the next time you visit your local Price Chopper and Market 32 locations!
Oven-Fried Chicken: Nothing tastes better than the delicious crunch of hot fried chicken. Be sure to pair this meal with Market 32 grab n’ go coleslaw, pasta salad, or potato salad.
Golden Raisin Irish Soda Bread Muffins: Even though St. Patrick’s Day has passed, nothing says you can’t make these fabulous Golden Raisin Irish Soda Bread Muffins! They are simple & delicious.
Popcorn Steak Bites with Buttermilk: You’ve heard of popcorn chicken, and even popcorn shrimp…but popcorn steak? Yes, you read that right! Biting into the crunchy fried breading and then the tender meat will have your mind blown!
Skillet Classic Peach Cobbler: With Mother’s Day right around the corner, you will want to save this recipe! Serve with PICS vanilla ice cream to complete this dessert.
