Spring Into A New Recipe
Jon Waiksnoris
Digital Marketing Coordinator, New Recipe Enthusiast
Spring has sprung! Time to get outdoors, grill, picnic, enjoy the weather and refresh your at-home menu with seasonal twists. Check out some of our favorite recipes for Spring below, you’re bound to find something you love!
Coconut Lemongrass Poached Cod: A light and aromatic dish that combines tender cod fillets with a fragrant broth made from coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, and fish sauce. This quick and healthy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner, offering a delightful blend of Thai-inspired flavors in under 30 minutes.
Chipotle Pulled Pork Sandwiches: A smoky, spicy twist on a classic comfort food. Tender pulled pork is combined with chipotle seasoning, creating a flavorful filling for sandwiches. For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding avocado, Pico de Gallo, and fresh cilantro.
Tequila Lime Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Fruit Salsa: A vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for spring and summer grilling. Succulent wild Argentinian shrimp are marinated in a zesty blend of tequila, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and brown sugar, then grilled to perfection on skewers. Paired with a smoky-sweet salsa featuring grilled plums, nectarines, pineapple, red onion, mint, and jalapeño, this recipe delivers a delightful balance of tangy, spicy, and sweet flavors that’s sure to impress at any cookout.
Thai Shrimp Zoodle Bowl: Combines tender shrimp with zucchini noodles, tossed in a tangy Thai-inspired sauce featuring honey, soy sauce, peanut butter, chili garlic sauce, and fresh lime juice. Quick to prepare, this meal is garnished with red bell pepper, cilantro, and dry roasted peanuts, offering a delightful mix of flavors and textures.
Smoked Salmon Flatbread:Â A quick and elegant dish that combines the rich, smoky flavor of salmon with a creamy base and fresh toppings. Ideal as an appetizer or light meal, it offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes.
Ricotta Toast Bowl: A delightful twist on the classic toast, featuring creamy Galbani Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese blended with grated Parmesan, fresh herbs, and a hint of lemon zest. Served over toasted bread and topped with seasonal fruits or vegetables, it’s a versatile dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light snack.
Zucchini Fritters: A simple and delicious way to enjoy fresh zucchini. Made with just a few ingredients, they offer a crispy exterior and tender interior, making them perfect as an appetizer or side dish.
Foil Baked Mediterranean Tilapia: A light and flavorful dish that brings together the fresh tastes of the Mediterranean. Featuring tender tilapia fillets baked in foil with ingredients like lemon, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and fresh basil, this recipe offers a quick and healthy meal option that’s ready in just 15 minutes.
Grilled Swordfish Kabobs with Peanut Chili Sambal: A bold and flavorful twist on a classic seafood dish. Featuring tender chunks of swordfish marinated in a spicy peanut-chili sauce, these kabobs are grilled to perfection, delivering a delightful combination of smoky, nutty, and spicy flavors.
Loaded Mashed Potato Egg Rolls: A creative fusion of comfort food and crispy indulgence. They feature creamy mashed potatoes blended with savory bacon, green onions, and seasonings, wrapped around cheddar cheese sticks in egg roll wrappers, then fried until golden brown. Served with sour cream for dipping, these egg rolls offer a delightful twist on traditional mashed potatoes, making them perfect for appetizers or a fun snack.​
Grilled Flank Steak with Mango-Habanero Corn Salad: A vibrant, spring and summer-ready dish that combines smoky grilled flank steak with a sweet and spicy corn salad. The salad features fresh corn, ripe mango, and a kick of heat from habanero peppers, creating a refreshing contrast to the savory steak. This recipe offers a bold and flavorful meal that’s perfect for outdoor gatherings or a special weeknight dinner.
Grilled Balsamic Steak Gorgonzola Pizza: A gourmet twist on classic pizza, featuring tender grilled sirloin steak, caramelized shallots, and tangy Gorgonzola cheese atop a crisp grilled crust. Finished with a rich balsamic glaze, this savory-sweet combination offers a bold and satisfying flavor profile, perfect for an elevated backyard meal.
Earth Day and Every Day: Five Years of Progress with Reusable Bags
Mona Golub
VP of Communications and Public Affairs
As Earth Day approaches, we’re reminded that sustainability isn’t something we celebrate once a year—it’s something we carry with us, literally, on every grocery trip. This spring marks five years since New York State’s Bag Waste Reduction Act went into effect, phasing out single-use plastic bags and encouraging shoppers to shift toward more sustainable alternatives—especially heavy-duty reusable bags.
It was a big change, especially for Market 32 and Price Chopper and our customers. Like any shift in routine, it’s been a journey.
Many customers embraced reusable bags with enthusiasm, turning a simple gesture into something that’s made a major impact. Before the ban, New Yorkers used more than 23 billion plastic bags each year. Thanks to the millions of shoppers who’ve made reusables part of regular shopping trips, an immense volume of plastic has been kept out of landfills, waterways, and neighborhoods across the communities we serve, and the world at-large.
It’s a powerful reminder that progress comes from small decisions that make a big impact over time. Now, five years after the ban on plastic bags took effect, some still find themselves relying on paper bags when reusables get left behind or forgotten.
While paper may feel like a safe and convenient alternative, it still comes with real costs, both financially and, more importantly, to the environment. Paper bags require a substantial amount of energy and water to produce, and because they’re bulkier and heavier than plastic, require more trucks and fuel to transport them, which leads to more emissions. While they’re recyclable and biodegradable, most paper bags are only used once before being tossed in the garbage.
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Last year alone, our stores provided 25 million paper bags. Even with a nominal fee at checkout, the cost of sourcing and stocking those bags continues to rise. Meanwhile, the savings potential for our customers is significant. If a shopper uses five paper bags per week, that adds up to about $13 a year. By contrast, a set of five reusable bags—available at our stores for just $0.69 to $0.99 each—totals less than $5 and can last for years.
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We understand that paper bags remain an important option for some shoppers, and we’ll continue making them available at checkout. Providing a convenient, friendly experience is always our priority, especially when it comes to making sure customers can securely bring their groceries home. However, we also recognize that they are not a long-term solution and that reusable bags are currently the best option to support the long-term health of our communities and the environment.
That’s why all 129 of our Market 32 and Price Chopper locations are fully stocked with durable, affordable reusable bags, conveniently located at store entrances and checkout counters. These bags are designed to go the distance—sturdy enough to handle your haul, compact enough to keep close at hand.
At the five-year mark, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect—not just on how far we’ve come, but what’s still ahead. Reusable bags may seem like a small thing, but they can make a big impact.
To everyone who’s already made this part of their routine—we thank you. And to those looking to support the effort again, or for the first time, now’s the perfect time to (re)join us on this journey. Just look for the reusable bags at the front of your store or checkout to get started!
National Grilled Cheese Day
National Grilled Cheese Day is a mouthwatering tribute to one of the most beloved comfort foods of all time. Whether you like yours classic with melty American cheese on white bread, or all gourmet with sourdough, sharp cheddar, and a tomato-basil twist, today is the perfect excuse to indulge.
Oven Grilled Cheese with Apples
Apples bring a crisp, sweet contrast to the rich, melty cheese, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Oven Grilled Cheese with Tuna
Creamy, savory tuna blends perfectly with the melted cheese, giving the sandwich a rich, satisfying flavor with a deliciously crispy crust.
Oven Grilled Cheese with Bacon
Amp up the flavor with a smoky, salty crunch that pairs perfectly with gooey, melted cheese. It adds just the right amount of indulgence, turning a simple sandwich into a treat.
Smashed Blackberry, Basil & Camembert Grilled Cheese
A delightful fusion of flavors, combining the sweetness of blackberries, the aromatic freshness of basil, and the creamy richness of Camembert cheese. This gourmet twist on the classic grilled cheese is both simple to prepare and impressively flavorful.
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Hearty and flavorful sandwich that combines tender pulled pork, crisp apple slaw, and melted sharp cheddar cheese, all nestled between slices of buttery Market 32 brioche bread.
Something On A Stick Day
If you’re looking for fun food holidays, you’ve come to the right place. Happy National Something on a Stick Day! Check out some of our favorite, stick-tastic recipes and try them for yourself. You can grab all your holiday essentials at your local store, including the sticks (skewers) themselves.
Chili Cheese Topped Corn Dogs: If we’re talking food on a stick, it’s imperative that we mention corn dogs. Classic stick food, perfect for the return of baseball season. Try out this chili cheese topped recipe.
Baked Kefta Zucchini Kabobs with Garlic Parsley Tahini Sauce: Another classic when it comes to eating food from a stick…kabobs! Grilling season is so close, we can taste it, but for now, this recipe works great in the oven.
Cashew Chicken Skewers with Orange Ginger Sauce: Cashew chicken on a stick, with a delicious orange ginger sauce for dipping. Don’t sleep on this tasty option for game day.
French Onion Burgers with Mushroom Swiss: Technically these burgers aren’t on a stick, but with a pickle or pepper skewered on top, they count!
Grilled Buffalo Tofu Dippers: These Grilled Buffalo Tofu Dippers are packed with flavor and easy to eat on a stick. The two most important requirements of this food holiday.
Popcorn Steak Bites with Buttermilk BBQ Dip: These Popcorn Steak Bites are a fun twist for any steak lover. Enjoy your steak, stick-style, with a satisfying buttermilk BBQ dip.
Turkey Avocado Pinwheels: And for you sandwich-lovers, these Turkey Avocado Pinwheels hit the spot every time. Try them for yourself!
10 Succulent Seafood Recipes
Whether it’s lobster, crab, shrimp, or anything else under the sea we love enjoying our favorites recipes. Check out these 10 succulent seafood dishes to try during Lent and beyond.
Classic Lobster Roll: Cooked lobster meat on a brioche hot dog bun, with the works. Can’t go wrong!
Crab Cake Sliders: These sliders are beautifully complimented by creamy Buffalo wing dipping sauce, a math made in seafood heaven.
Grilled Shrimp Po’ Boys: You’ll need 1 lb. of Market 32 16-20 count tail-off peeled and deveined shrimp for these Po’ Boys. Remoulade, tomato, lettuce, and pickle chips on a hoagie roll makes for one harmonious seafood sandwich.
Shrimp & Grits Stuffed Peppers: These seafood-style stuffed peppers are packed with flavor. Shrimp and grits are great our their own, but they are even better in a pepper.
Bouillabaisse: Bouillabaisse is a fish stew that originated from the city of Marseille in France. It’s a seafood lover’s dream as lobster, cod, clams, mussels, and scallops all come together for a gathering of great taste.
Crispy Honey Nut Baked Salmon with Almond-Fennel Salad: Honey nut flavor makes for a perfect topped for this baked Salmon dish. Almond-fennel salad finishes off a mouthwatering combination of flavor.
Grilled Lobster Tail Salad: In the mood for salad? Have it seafood-style. Grilled lobster tail brings the two worlds together.
Tequila-Lime Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Fruit Salsa: These succulent tequila-lime shrimp skewers pair perfectly with a nice grilled fruit salsa. A great recipe for warm weather!
Salmon Burgers with Avocado & Asian Slaw: Salmon burgers are an excellent alternative to beef or turkey burgers. Top them with this yummy avocado & Asian slaw and you’ll be in burger paradise.
Fried-Egg Topped Crab Cakes: Crab cakes are a top tier seafood dish. Elevate them with a fried-egg on top for more flavor.
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
How can one resist a delicious, crunchy bowl of cereal with freshly chilled milk? Cereal is so wonderful that it has been given its own day – March 7th! Although, everyday could be National Cereal Day in the United States, considering we are listed fourth in the world with cereal consumption! An average of 160 bowls of cereal are consumed per person in the United States each year, and 50% of Americans will start their day off with a bowl of cereal. I guess it is safe to say that cereal is a household favorite!
Here at Price Chopper and Market 32, we love cereal just as much as our customers! Did you know that we have a whole line of PICS brand cereals? That is right – we have a large variety of delicious PICS cereal as well as PICS milk and dairy-free milk that you must try! Click on the green button at the end of this blog to view all of our PICS cereal.
Cereal can be used for so much more than just your morning breakfast. Cereal has become a very popular snack on its own or mixed in with yogurt. Additionally, there are many recipes that call for cereal as an ingredient. Check out the recipes below that are not only fun and easy to make, but delicious, too!
Crispy Honey Baked Salmon with Almond-Fennel Salad: PICS Honey Nut Toasted Oats cereal as crumbs? Bet you have never thought of that before! This salmon recipe is irresistibly mouth-watering and flavorful, with a little bit of crunch of course!Â
Lucky Charms Frozen Yogurt Pie: Creamy vanilla frozen yogurt with cereal as the base. Now that is a fun dessert idea! The best part is, this recipe only calls for five items!
Savory Rosemary Snack Mix: This is a must for your next gathering! Be cautious though, this recipe is so good that you may not have any leftovers for yourself!
Food Connects Us!
The 51st National Nutrition Month® Celebration!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, CDN, FAND
March is National Nutrition Month®! This year’s theme is “Food Connects Us.” This education and awareness campaign is led by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the largest professional nutrition association in the world. Launched 51 years ago, it continues to raise awareness about all of the benefits  eating well brings to our health and our lives.
So much about food connects us – to family, to community, to culture and spirituality. Food nourishes relationships and fuels exploration. Family recipes connect generations, affirming and honoring shared memories and history. Food transports us around the world via culinary journeys where we discover new foods and flavors, plate by plate, without leaving our own table. Food delivers joy and caring, through celebrations and challenges.
The information used to create these connections is empowered by the education and work of Registered Dietitian-Nutritionists (RDNs) and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (NDTRs). We are trained from molecules to menu, from farm to physiology, and required to continue that training throughout our careers, to ensure we can deliver authentic, safe, wholesome, nutritious, appetizing food to individuals and populations. Our work facilitates food and nutrition-focused prevention, healthful growth and lifelong vitality, and treatment of injury and illness. RDNs continually drive food and nutrition research and communications that are evidence-based and cutting edge. It is a dynamic profession, and I am grateful and proud to be part of it in this role for our company and the communities we serve.
Food connects us – our Market 32 and Price Chopper teams hope you and your family can create all the joy, nourishment, health and healing you need with the foods we offer in our stores. The warmth of a bowl of soup, the excitement of a special cake, the perfect ingredient for your new recipe, the treat in the lunchbox that gives a little moment of love to your child, and the crunch of an apple that energizes you and supports local farmers – food connects us all.
Happy National Nutrition Month®!
We believe that great meals don’t have to come with a high price tag. Our Value Meal Program is designed to bring you delicious, budget-friendly recipes every week—each costing under $4 per plate! Whether you’re feeding a family or just looking for easy, affordable meal ideas, we’ve got you covered. This week, we’re featuring Pasta Bake, Shepherd’s Pie, and Italian Wedding Soup—hearty, comforting dishes that are simple to make and full of flavor. Enjoy quality meals without breaking the bank, and stay tuned for more tasty, wallet-friendly recipes every week!
Pasta Bake
Shepard's Pie
Italian Wedding Soup
1lb Ground Beef M32 85% Lean Ground Beef |
Barilla Pasta |
| Rinaldi Sauce |
Pics Pizza Blend Cheese |
McCormcik Italian Seasoning |
| PICS Grated Cheese-3oz |
1lb Ground Beef M32 85% Lean Ground Beef |
Market 32 Russet Potatoes |
Market 32 Yellow Onions |
Pics Beef Broth |
| Pics Mixed Vegetables |
1lb Ground Beef M32 85% Lean Ground Beef |
Fresh Express Spinach |
Pics Chicken Broth |
Pics Orzo |
Garlic |
Celery |
| Market 32 Baby Carrots |
Pizza Plays for the Big Game
Hosting for the big game this weekend? Pizza is a great game day option to impress your guests. And we have a variety of pizza plays for you to score big. Try out one of offerings so you’re ready to in time for kickoff.
Crafted with stone-fired pizza dough and topped with fresh ingredients, our great-tasting pizzas are ready when you are – just take ’em and bake ’em. Featuring scrumptious varieties like Pepperoni, Margherita, Meat Lovers, Mushroom & Blue, classic Cheese, and more.
Our crispy pan pizzas are covered with the finest, freshest toppings from corner to corner, generously layered on top of our 100% natural whole milk mozzarella cheese, and pizza sauce, made from vine ripened tomatoes. Our pizza is baked fresh in 500° ovens for an authentic old-world taste with our signature crispy bottom. Our pizza is thicker than a New York style, yet thinner than a Chicago style pizza. We use 100% natural whole milk mozzarella and only the freshest toppings.
Our new and enhanced takeout meal options are perfect game day, especially our new Pizza and Wings option. Now you can get 2 Pizzas and 2Lbs. of Wings for $34.99. Order it hot and ready, or cold to bake at home when you’re ready to eat. Plus, we’ve shortened our order lead time to 24 hours to better accommodate you’re planning. Impress your guests for the big game and order today.
We offer a variety of frozen pizza toppings through our PICS line of products. Choose a couple of your favorites, and you’ll be ready for gameday with guests in no time. Our exciting options include BBQ Chicken, Pepperoni, Buffalo Style Chicken and much more. With our new Brewery Crust style to elevate crispiness and enjoyment.
Looking to have some fun in the kitchen ahead of the game? We have all the ingredients you need to make your own homemade pie, just the way you like it. Shop our collection of pizza-making essentials now.
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, CDN
February is Lactose Awareness Month. Lactose is a type of carbohydrate or natural sugar found in dairy products. Some adults and children are sensitive to lactose, meaning, some dairy products may cause stomach upset. Dairy products are an important source of 13 essential nutrients; understanding how to manage this challenge is important to ensure you and your family don’t lose access to favorite foods and their nutrient-rich health benefits, such as calcium and phosphorus, that strengthen teeth and bones, whey and casein proteins that promote lean muscle mass, and Vitamins A, B2, B12, and Vitamin D, all important for energy, immune system health and production of red blood cells.
Lactose sensitivity (also known as intolerance) occurs for different reasons, ranging from genetics, age, medical conditions and cancer treatments. It can occur at any time of life, and may be very mild to more acute, depending on the cause. How much milk and dairy we regularly enjoy also plays a role – for example, if you regularly had milk and other dairy foods as a child, but gradually reduced the quantity over time, you may be surprised by a new sensitivity. For some people, lack of dairy intake over time changes how much we can make of the lactase enzyme, key to being able to digest dairy foods.
The good news is, there are still a lot of options. The more you know, the more confident and comfortable you will be.
Enjoy:
- Lactose-free milk and ice cream – all the great taste and benefits of regular milk without the lactose. Bonus – these can also substitute for milk in any recipe!
- Trace amounts – 1 gram or less per serving: Natural cheeses, cream, whipped cream, butter, American cheese, cream cheese, and ricotta cheese.
- Small amounts – 3 – 5 grams of lactose per serving: Cottage cheese, traditional and Greek yogurts. The cultures in yogurts break down some lactose naturally – try different styles and brands. Small servings may keep them on your plate without symptoms.
- Experiment with fermented options like Kefir – again, the cultures that help create the flavor break down some lactose during fermentation.
Good to Know:
Whether the sensitivity developed over time or is a reaction to a recent health change, many people can restore their gut function by having small amounts of milk/dairy foods over time.
- Lactose sensitivity may be temporary, especially if it occurs suddenly after a bout with a stomach bug or after cancer treatment involving the Gi tract. The lactase enzyme is produced in cells that may get temporarily knocked out but are restored as the body recovers from illness or treatment.
- Enjoy milk/dairy with meals or snacks – together, they slow digestion down and allow enough time for the enzyme to break lactose down, reducing or eliminating symptoms. Cookies and milk, fruit and yogurt, and cheese on a sandwich are all ideas to explore.
- Lactose sensitivity is not a dairy allergy – your MD can help you sort out which one it is.
- Whether the sensitivity developed over time or is a reaction to a recent health change, many people can restore their gut function by having small amounts of milk/dairy foods over time.
Good Moooove – Take these tips to store and explore!
Learn more about the American Dairy Association here!
Check out these lactose-free recipes!
Chocolate-Raspberry Smoothie Bowl
Creamy Papaya Protein Shake
Cherry Milk Steamer
Mint Chocolate Chip Milk
Chocolate Peanut Butter Milk