Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Happy National Bacon Day to all our bacon-lovers out there! At Price Chopper and Market 32, we carry a large variety of bacon, including turkey bacon and plant-based bacon. We have an option for everyone. Whether you enjoy your scrambled eggs with a side of bacon or include it on your sandwiches, you can never go wrong with bacon’s delicious taste to add to any meal.
Fun facts about bacon!
- Bacon has its own Day – December 30th!
- Bacon is cut from a pig’s side or belly.
- More than two billion pounds of bacon is produced each year in the United States!
- The average American consumes 18 pounds of bacon a year!
- The country of Denmark consumes the most bacon each year.
- Turkey bacon is made by grinding up turkey meat, adding seasonings, and forming into bacon strips.
Want to try some new recipes that contain bacon? Check out the section below!
Spiced-Maple Bacon: Four-ingredient maple bacon? We think YES! Be careful though – this may become a serious fan-favorite in your household!
Penne with Vodka Sauce & Turkey Bacon: Pasta, red sauce, parmesan cheese, basil, and bacon – what a fantastic combo!
Jalapeño Popper Pizza: Looking to add some pop to your pizza night? Try this delicious homemade Jalapeño Popper Pizza with cut-up bacon!
Ricotta Toast Bowl: Give yourself a fresh start to the day with this hearty Ricotta Toast Bowl!
Happy National Bacon Day!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
December 24th is National Eggnog Day, which is very fitting for this time of year. Eggnog can be purchased in the Dairy Section at any of our Price Chopper and Market 32 locations. If you want to try and make your own eggnog this holiday season, then this is the article for you! We have all of the fresh, delicious ingredients for this festive drink. Be sure to browse through our Price Chopper Website and our Price Chopper Ready for more holiday recipes.
What is eggnog? For those of you who may have never tried this drink, eggnog is a creamy, sweet mixture of milk, heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and spices. Often, people may mix rum, bourbon, or brandy in eggnog as well. There is always an option for everyone, and there are many ways to make your eggnog dairy-free or vegan.
Ingredients needed:
3 cups PICS whole
1 cups PICS heavy cream
2 PICS large eggs
½ cup PICS granulated sugar
1 teaspoon PICS vanilla extract
½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
½ cup Dark Rum (optional)
6 Cinnamon sticks (optional)
Step 1: Heat milk and cream on medium heat until steaming. Whisk occasionally.
Step 2: Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a separate bowl. Carefully add in ⅓ of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolk combination to temper the eggs. Be sure to keep mixing.
Step 3: Transfer the milk & yolk mixture into the pot on the stove, and cook until thickened (about 5 minutes, or until mixture reaches 165°). Whisk continuously. At this point, you can add in alcohol for a spiked eggnog drink, OR wait until the very last step to beat in alcohol.
Step 4: Strain eggnog through a fine-mesh strainer and whisk in vanilla and nutmeg. Refrigerate eggnog for at least two hours.
Step 5: If you did not add in alcohol in step 3, you can beat it now on medium speed. Otherwise, pour into glasses, add some PICS whipped cream, and enjoy!
Dairy-Free Eggnog:
There are many different add-ins and recipes for dairy-free eggnog, but there are some key factors that stay the same throughout all dairy-free eggnog recipes: Omit the regular milk and cream and use almond, soy, coconut, or oat milk. People often use 2-4 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey in dairy-free eggnog.
Check out the full recipe here!
Vegan Eggnog:
Vegan eggnog calls for plant-based milk as well as the option to add in 1 tablespoon of canola or vegetable oil for a creamer drink. All of the spices stay the same.
Check out the full recipe here!
We hope you have a safe and happy holiday!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
The Christmas holiday is a beautiful time of year. For many people, ornaments are continuously collected from their children while in grade school, family trips, and other memories throughout the years. No matter your age, you are never too old to create an ornament to hang on the tree. Let’s take a look at making meaningful ornaments with food that you can purchase right at your local Price Chopper and Market 32 store. This is a great family activity that will bring laughs and beautiful memories.
Salt Dough Gingerbread Men
As the name suggests, these gingerbread men are going to be salty, so not ideal for eating! They are, however, ideal for ornament-making. The salt helps preserve the ornaments. After all, these gingerbread men are made for hanging on the tree – not for eating!
What you will need:
1/4 cup ground ginger
1/4 cup ground cloves
1 cup salt
3 cups flour
1 1/2 – 2 cups water
Parchment Paper
Baking Pan
Twine/ribbon/string
1 straw
Directions:
Mix dry ingredients together & slowly add the water. Roll the dough so that it is about 1/4 inch thick and create your desired shape. Use a straw to poke a hole in the top for the string later on. Bake at 250°F for 1-2 hours and let cool. Once dried, decorate and hang!
Melted Peppermints
This craft is simple, yet intriguing! You can use red or green peppermints here, or even a mix of both!
What you will need:
Peppermint Candies
Cookie Cutter
Parchment Paper
Toothpick/straw
Twine/ribbon/string
Directions:
Line a cookie sheet with cookie cutters of choice, and spray the inside of each cutter. Line the peppermints inside the cookie cutters and bake at 350°F for 3-9 minutes, but please pay attention to how quickly they are melting. Once the candies have melted together, remove from the oven. Gently use a toothpick or straw to poke a hole in the top of the ornament and let them completely harden. Remove the cutter from melted mints and hang!
We wish you a safe & happy holiday season!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN Manager, Lifestyles and Wellness
Not getting adequate sleep can greatly interfere with everyday life. It is so important, improving sleep habits and quality have been added to the Life’s Essential 8 lifestyle factor list by the American Heart Association, a roadmap to protecting heart health. Sleep is fundamental to overall capacity to function properly, and depending on your age, the amount of sleep you need may differ. According to the CDC, adults ages 18-60 need 7+ of sleep a night. On the other hand, adults 61-64 need 7-9 hours a night and adults 65+ should be getting 7-8 hours.
The quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity. Waking up multiple times a night will affect how you feel the next day. Data shows that lack of sleep can undermine mood, alertness, short-term memory, and focus. Long-term chronic sleep issues can negatively impact heart health, metabolism, and weight.
Luckily, there are many ways we can prepare for a better night’s sleep throughout our days. Ensure that you are staying physically active but be cautious of the timing of your exercise. Physical activity gives us energy, so if you work out close to bedtime, you may have more of a challenge falling asleep. Other factors that can undermine sleep health include blue light exposure from smart phones and computers, and shift work. Try limiting screen time before getting ready for bed. Not only does blue light stimulate your brain, but it also slows the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
While there are many ways to try and develop healthy sleep habits, we sometimes need extra assistance. If you or someone you know is struggling to obtain a steady sleep schedule, see your healthcare provider to have an evaluation for conditions like sleep apnea and insomnia. These require treatment as well. All medications and supplements should be evaluated by a healthcare provider and/or pharmacist for interactions. Melatonin or any sleep aids should be cleared with pediatricians, so children should never be given supplements without prior consultation.
We carry several sleep aids that may meet your needs, and some other items that can contribute to relaxation and sleep hygiene, such as chamomile and other teas, aromatic lotions, and bath salts. Look at our Sleep Aids Collection by clicking on the “Shop Sleep Aids” green tab below. We wish you sweet dreams!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
‘Tis the season to sip and savor! As the holidays approach, there’s no better time to elevate your festive gatherings with festive drink recipes. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family get-together, a spirited office party, or simply looking to add a touch of merriment to your evenings by the fire, Price Chopper and Market 32 have you covered! From hot chocolate to cocktails and everything in between, we have everything you need to craft the perfect drink. Cheers to making this holiday season the most spirited one yet!
Warm Drink Recipes (non-alcoholic):
Curl up by the fireplace with a delicious warm beverage in hand! Try one of these delicious drinks below.
Cold Drink Recipes (non-alcoholic):
Price Chopper and Market 32 offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages on our website! Be sure to check them out.
Spiced Pomegranate Mulled Cider with Cinnamon-Ginger Stirring Spoons
Cold Drink Recipes (alcoholic):
Enjoy all the holidays have to offer with these delicious alcholic drinks!
Getting the party started early? Check out these mimosa recipes!
The Salvation Army Bell Ringer
When 72-year-old Ed Evans read in a newspaper article that his local Salvation Army wasn’t going to be able to put out all their Red Kettles for the annual fundraiser because of a shortage of Bell Ringers, he knew what he had to do.
“I had previously volunteered in a Salvation Army shelter helping to serve lunch and I really enjoyed my experience there,” Evans said. “With no golf matches, garden or lawn work to do in the winters of upstate New York, I knew I had the time to volunteer my services as a Bell Ringer.”
The Red Kettle fundraiser helps The Salvation Army provide local families and individuals in need with food, clothing, and other resources throughout the year, as well as presents under the Christmas tree for local children. And, as the need for Salvation Army assistance has continued to increase due to current economic hardships, so has the need for volunteers.
Whether it’s ringing bells at a Red Kettle for a couple of hours, sorting donations of toys and clothing, or helping parents pick out that perfect Christmas present for their child at a Salvation Army toy shop, volunteers are the backbone of The Salvation Army.
During his multiple shifts as a Bell Ringer, Evans said he was heartened by the many shoppers who not only donated to the Red Kettle, but who also thanked him for volunteering.
“When kids asked about the Bell and Kettle, parents would explain about helping the less fortunate and would give them a dollar to put in the Kettle,” Evans said. “It felt great to be a part of this enlightening experience and to see the immediate reaction of a child’s contribution.”
Evans added that he had a lot of fun and met many interesting people during his multiple shifts as a volunteer Bell Ringer.
“A dollar here, five dollars there…one man put in a twenty,” Evans said. “A few even wrote checks or ran out to their cars to be able to contribute. At the end of each of my volunteer shifts I felt as if I had given $1,000 myself. I knew that the money I had help to raise would go on to help those in need in my community.”
To enquire about Salvation Army volunteer opportunities, call your local Salvation Army, or text “TSAVolunteer” to 31333
Looking for an irresistibly soft toilet paper? Charmin has got you covered. Charmin Ultra Soft Mega Roll is the same great softness you love!
More convenient, more value and all in our long-lasting roll, so you can change the roll even less often! And with our wavy edge, you’ll get a smoother tear for an even better ‘go’! Charmin Ultra Soft is our softest toilet paper ever so it is harder than ever to resist! It is 2X more absorbent so you can use less than the leading bargain brand. It is also clog-safe and septic safe too.
The holidays are in full swing, and we could not be more excited! This time of year calls for charcuterie boards, cheese and cracker appetizers, and cheese and wine pairings, which make us even more thrilled to announce our December Cheese of the Month: Wensleydale with Cranberries. Crafted from natural ingredients, this white cheese without a rind boasts a unique acidity and crumbly texture, while the cranberries contribute a juicy sweetness. Join us as we explore various ways to savor this delicious cheese.
Wensleydale cheese pairs well with fruits like apples and apricots, and is great for a charcuterie board or crumbled on a salad. Fruity ales or wines would also be delicious with this cheese. While this cheese is dry and crumbly, it is good for melting on a sub or sandwich.
To further solidify its presence in the Capital Region, Price Chopper/Market 32 announced today that it has just finalized the purchase of the leases, store equipment and fixtures of the five former ShopRite stores in the Capital Region with a desire to expand its local fleet of Market 32 stores.
“Our Market 32 brand has been extremely well received and this gives us an excellent opportunity to expand our footprint in the Capital Region, provide our customers with the shopping experience they are looking for and our teammates with career growth opportunities right here in our hometown,” said Blaine Bringhurst, Price Chopper/Market 32 president, who celebrated the grand re-openings of the chain’s 39th and 40th Market 32s in Rutland and W. Rutland, Vermont last month.
While the company is still evaluating all its options, the plan is to convert the current ShopRite stores in Niskayuna and North Greenbush into Market 32s. The Slingerlands location, which sits directly across the street from an award-winning Market 32, will be marketed for sublease. As discussions with landlords in Albany and Colonie continue, decisions will be made about the future of those properties and the current Price Chopper/Market 32 stores which are located nearby in Westgate and Colonie Plazas. Current teammates will be prioritized in staffing whichever of the locations are ultimately occupied.
All told, the new Market 32 stores would create more options for customers, provide existing teammates with an opportunity to transfer to a more convenient location, and may create new opportunities once the stores open. Price Chopper/Market 32 does not intend to operate the gas stations.
“Price Chopper/Market 32 is excited at the prospect of growing scale right here in New York’s Capital Region, where we’ve been serving customers for more than 90 years. We have always been and will remain an employer of choice for our valued teammates. We are here to stay and will continue to invest in modernizing our stores, providing opportunities to our workforce, delivering an exceptional shopping experience to our customers, and supporting the community around us,” said Bringhurst.
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!