The Challenge Has Begun!

Hi Chopper Shoppers!  My name is John Akots, and I work in Price Chopper’s Advertising department.  I am so excited to share my family’s Price Chopper Brand Challenge with you!  I have always been passionate about our corporate brands, and decided that I would challenge myself, my wife, and daughter to buy only store brands for one month, in hopes of inspiring others to give these outstanding products a shot!  The goal is for my family to see what we think of our store brand products, what products we discover that we did not know were available, and how much we CHOP our food bill!  The only brands we are going to buy are Price Chopper, Central Market Classics, Price Chopper Naturals, and our other corporate brands which include Clear Value, Top Care and Full Circle. 

For example, on my first shopping trip of the challenge, I bought kaiser rolls, ginger ale, off the bone ham, Italian bread, lasagna noodles, mozzarella cheese, ground sirloin, orange juice, and yogurt – all of which were Price Chopper brand!

The feedback I received from my family included, “I actually really like the yogurt, are there any more fat free flavors?” (We had never tried it before!)  We also tried Price Chopper Natural and Organic orange juice for the first time and really, really liked it!  Although it was a bit more expensive than the regular Price Chopper orange juice, my wife loved the “fresh squeezed taste” and my daughter liked the “very orangy consistency.”  Our total bill with AdvantEdge savings was under $30!  On to another store for another trip soon!

I encourage you to follow along with me, as you are all eligible to win the Free Groceries for a Year Contest going on now in stores by buying 10 corporate brand products on any given shopping trip.  The last blog post on Chopper Shopper Chatter outlines the contest for anyone who has not heard of it yet.  I am not eligible to win, but at least I got my picture taken with Chopper! 

 Please comment with any suggestions, favorite products, comments, or questions.  I’ll be updating throughout the course of the Win Free Groceries contest, so use my experiences to help you get more store brand products in your cart, and more entries in the contest!  If you have done something similar with your family, we would love for you to share your stories and comments about our products and how much you saved.  We’ll give a $100 gift certificate away for our favorite story!!

Win Free Groceries for a Year!

Beginning this Sunday, January 24th, every time you purchase any 10 products from our corporate brands collection with your AdvantEdge card, you will be automatically entered for a chance to win $5,200 in Price Chopper gift certificates!  Our brands (see below for the complete list) include all grocery, frozen, dairy, fresh and general merchandise/health and beauty care items with the labels shown below.

 For each two week period, every ten items will qualify for another entry, up to 60 items of 6 entries per two week period.  The winner will be identified electronically though a random pull of qualified shoppers.  There will be one winner every two weeks for each of the twelve weeks, with a total of 6 winners for the event!

The contest will run through April 17th - plenty of time to stock up on your favorite corporate brand items!  If you love our brands already, you know how easy it is to purchase 10 of these items on any shopping trip!  In case you have not tried our brands yet, this gives you the perfect opportunity to try them out and qualify to win!

                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

Pinata Apples – A Surprise for your Taste Buds!

In 2000, the Mathison family of Stemilt Growers began searching for a new apple variety to call their own.  After trying several different new varieties, they came across a boutique apple from Germany that was quickly gaining popularity, under the names Pinova and Sonata.  After a few years of testing the apple in their Washington orchards, the Mathison’s purchased the rights to grow and market the Pinova/Sonata in the United States and renamed the variety Pinata, to more accurately refelect it’s personality.  Today, Pinata apples thrive on a select few Stemilt orchards , each selected specifically based on soil, elevation, and climate. 

So, what is a Pinata apple?  It is a cross between Golden Delicious, Cox’s Orange Pippin and the Duchess of Oldenburg varieties.  The best parts of these three apples combine to form the fantastic flavor (crisp and juicy, classic apple flavor with a tropical twist) and striking appearance (stripy bright red over a yellow-orange background) of Pinata apples.  They are firm and crunchy, with a round to slight cone- shape.  Internally, Pinata apples are bright white and resist browning when sliced.  They are medium to large apples, perfect for enjoying in salads or sauces, for freezing, poaching, baking, or for a snack by itself!

Try the recipe below for delicious apple pie featuring Pinata apples! Look for Pinata apples in our ad this week, and only our Facebook fans will receive additional savings with a coupon to try this new variety for only $.99/lb!  There is also a coupon for Facebook fans to get Price Chopper refrigerated pie crust for only $1! Become our fan here: http://www.facebook.com/PriceChopperSupermarkets

Stemilt’s PIÑATA!® Apple Pie – Recipe yields one 10″ pie

Ingredients

10-16 Stemilt PIÑATA! ® Apples (each peeled, cored and sliced ½ inch thick)

2 ½ Cups Sugar

2 Tablespoons Cinnamon

1/8 cup of lemon juice

2 tablespoons butter

½ cup flour

2 pie shells – 10″

Directions

Peel, core and slice each apple and put into a large bowl. Add sugar, flour, cinnamon and lemon juice on top of the apples. Mix well. Cook the apple mixture in a microwave for three minutes on high power. Then, stir the apples and pour into an unbaked pie shell. Cut butter into small cubes and place generously across the top of the apple filling. Lay the second unbaked pie shell over the filling and pinch to seal pie shells together. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Then turn temperature to 375 degrees and bake for another 30 minutes.

 Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Think Seafood for 2010!

Our own Fred Coffey, Seafood Manager in Store #218, Delhi, NY wants all of you to keep the holiday spirit going strong, right through the New Year!  He wrote this catchy version of The Night Before Christmas:

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the store,
Shoppers were thinking of Seafood, looking for value and more;

Our cases were fully stocked, and we had taken great care,
To have the freshest fish available, displayed everywhere.

Customers shopped through the departments and formed a long line,
To take advantage of the specials, they knew they would find;

Then, over the PA the announcer started his chatter,
Shoppers got an idea, and said, “Let’s order a platter!”

To the fish counter they went, they were soon there in a flash,
They picked up two large platters, for their Holiday bash;

Our shrimp is the best, it’s an explosion of flavor,
They added more to their cart, for family to savor;

The Best in Fresh, is our stores’ claim to fame,
Other chains try to imitate, but it’s just not the same;

A bundle of favorites is flung in our Mega Savings Pack,
With value like this, we know they’ll be back;

We’ve got BOGO’s galore, Buy one get one Free,
Many holiday appetizers, the best from the sea;

Our Seafood staff is friendly, efficient and quick,
They serve hundreds of customers, as fast as St. Nick.

Shoppers sprang to the checkout aisles, at a very good pace,
Our 6 Star Service team left a smile on their face.

And we heard shoppers exclaim, as they drove out of sight,
“We got great values in seafood, at Price Chopper tonight!”

Fred Coffey and the rest of the Price Chopper family want to help you ring in the New Year and enjoy the rest of the holiday season. This week, we are providing our Facebook Fans two exclusive coupon offers:

• 12 oz Price Chopper cocktail sauce for only $.01!
• $3 off a 1 lb. bag of 26-30 count cooked shrimp

You must be a fan to take advantage of these offers, so click here to join:  http://www.facebook.com/PriceChopperSupermarkets

Running out of gift ideas, time, or money? Bake-A-Gift instead!

 We are right in the middle of gift-giving season, and the stress of the holidays may be starting to wear you down.  Baking gifts is a great way to get back in the holiday spirit and cross a few people off of your “still need to buy for” list at the same time!  There are so many options for Bake-A-Gift, and you can add your own creativity in the packaging, decorating, and presentation of your homemade treats!

Some of the best gifts to give are homemade, and everyone loves a reason to indulge!  You don’t have to limit yourself to cookies; jarred brownie, hot chocolate, or party mix are also nice gifts to give.  You can also bake fruitcakes, cheesecakes, or create a mixture of your favorite desserts!

If you find yourself having trouble thinking of baking ideas, visit our website for inspiration. What are some of your favorite desserts to bake around this time of year?  Share your recipes, tips, or bake-a-gift stories with us!

Below is one of our favorite recipes for no-bake cookies.  You can find exclusive coupons for two of the items featured in this recipe if you are a fan on Price Chopper on Facebook!  Join here: http://www.facebook.com/PriceChopperSupermarkets

No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies 

2 cups Price Chopper sugar

¼ cup Price Chopper cocoa

¼ cup Price Chopper butter

½ cup Price Chopper milk

2 ½ cups Price Chopper Old Fashioned oats, uncooked

¾ c Price Chopper crunchy peanut butter

1 Tbs. Price Chopper vanilla 

Combine sugar, cocoa, butter and milk in sauce pan.  Cook over medium-high heat until mixture begins to simmer.  Simmer 1 minute.  Stir in oats, peanut butter and vanilla.  Drop onto Pam sprayed waxed paper. Cool.  Makes approx. 40-44 cookies. 

Preparation time: 20-22 minutes. 

Albany Med Unveils “Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders” In Honor of Holiday Concert Series

Albany Medical Center announced this month that it has renamed the Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders the “Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders” to commemorate 30 years of sponsors’ support of the Capital Region’s popular holiday concert series—Melodies of Christmas. To date, thanks to corporate partners Price Chopper, Freihofer’s and WRGB CBS-6, the event has raised approximately $5.7 million to support the region’s only pediatric cancer service.

“Today we honor all of the people who have been associated with Melodies of Christmas these many years and have worked tirelessly to ensure that as long as families in our region face the difficult reality of childhood cancer, they will be able to find hope here at Albany Medical Center,” said James J. Barba, president and CEO of Albany Medical Center. “With the support of Price Chopper, Freihofer’s, CBS-6, and the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Chorale, Albany Med has been able to provide the medical and emotional support necessary to provide the very best care for our young patients and their families in a comfortable and nurturing environment. We are sincerely grateful.”

Albany Med’s pediatric cancer program employs a multi-disciplinary team consisting of four pediatric hematologist/oncologists, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, highly trained chemotherapy nurses, a pediatric social worker, and a child life specialist. In addition, the program is supported by all of Albany Medical Center’s pediatric subspecialists. More than 700 children are seen on a yearly basis in this area for a wide range of cancers and blood disorders.

“The naming of the ‘Melodies Center’ is a wonderful tribute to the commitment that Price Chopper, Freihofer’s and CBS6 have made – and will continue to make – to the world class Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders programs at Albany Medical Center through the annual Melodies of Christmas performances,” said Neil Golub, president and CEO of Price Chopper. “It is a joy to support this annual holiday tradition that touches so many in our community while raising significant funds for the Medical Center,” he added.

“Freihofer’s is deeply honored and humbled to be a part of this very exciting announcement today,” said Mike Loscalzo, vice president of sales at Freihofer’s. “We have been a part of Melodies of Christmas since its inception 30 years ago and we are extremely committed to raising funds each year for the childhood cancer and blood disorder program at Albany Medical Center.”

Begun in 1980, the Melodies of Christmas four-day concert series, which features the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Chorale, has become one of the Medical Center’s largest fundraising initiatives and the largest out-of-studio television production between New York City and Montreal. In addition to the 10,000 attendees each year, tens of thousands of viewers tune in to the 90-minute special on WRGB CBS 6 shown on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

“From the planning and staging to the shooting and editing, producing Melodies is a challenge CBS 6 looks forward to year after year. Showcasing the tremendously talented kids in the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale, Melodies has always been about kids helping kids, and I think that’s a big reason why our communities have so embraced it through generations,” said Lisa Jackson, CBS 6 news director and Melodies executive producer. “Melodies of Christmas is simply the people of our region working together at our very best, for a very good cause. We are immensely proud of this remarkable seasonal celebration, the great work it facilitates for children, and the tremendous honor Albany Med has bestowed in naming the center in honor of Melodies.”

Albany Medical Center is northeastern New York’s only academic health sciences center. It consists of Albany Medical College, Albany Medical Center Hospital and the Albany Medical Center Foundation, Inc. Additional information about Albany Medical Center can be found at www.amc.edu

Seats are still available for this year’s Melodies of Christmas Performances at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, NY.

Beer and Food…Perfect Together. By: Kevin Schulke, Beer & Wine Category Manager

George Reisch III, Brewmaster for Anheuser-Busch

Contrary to popular belief, wine is not the sole adult beverage accompaniment to a meal.  Have you ever considered learning to pair beer with your food? The Brewmaster from Anheuser-Busch shared some valuable tips and lessons with Price Chopper associates on how to choose your brew based on what you are serving for dinner. 

Beer offers a natural complement to food, because it IS food (born of natural ingredients like barley, hops, water and yeast).  Beer also offers unprecedented refreshment, beer is not overly sweet and is meant to be swallowed, not sipped.  Light carbonation can cleanse the palate, and beer’s alcohol content per fluid ounce is moderate compared to wine and hard liquor.  Beer complements a range of cuisines, including American Classics, Asian Fusion, and Latino/Spicy.

Before pairing your food and beer selections, there are a few preliminary decisions to consider:

Step 1: Glassware

Glassware is critical to capturing the unique characteristics of the various styles of beer you may serve. Don’t worry – many of the different basic glassware styles are already in your cupboard!  There are five basic styles:

Glassware (from left to right)

 

1. Tall Fluted Glass for Light Lagers
2. Tulip Glass for Full Bodied Lagers
3. Snifter/Goblet for Robust Porters
4. Mug/Stein for German-styleMaerzen/Oktoberfest
5. Traditional Pilsner Glass for Mid-bodied Lagers

Step 2:  Pouring and Tasting

The most common error when it comes to pouring is tilting the glass and pouring down the side of the glass. This minimizes the foam and traps the natural carbonation of the beer, allowing for a flat gassy taste which is NOT what the brewmaster designed! 

Here’s how to correctly pour:

Place your glassware flat on a counter, bring the beer to the edge of the glass, quickly raise the bottle or can to 45 degrees and send that beer right down the middle of the glass!  Enjoy the ensuing gurgle and the substantial head of foam. As the foam rises, slowly reduce the pour until it rises to the tip of the glass. The foam will release the carbon dioxide, flavor and aromas to your nose exactly where they are supposed to be. If you drink your beer directly from the bottle or can, this will never happen and you’ll never enjoy the aromas the brew master locked inside that container of beer. To complete this step, simply and slowly bring the glass to your lips and savor the aroma as you enjoy the taste.

Step 3: Pairing the Beer with Food

There are 3 Basic Principles to consider:

Balance: Your food and beer should create a balance of flavor when consumed. No single flavor should dominate, and this is achieved by contrasting flavors of food with different styles of beer, or by choosing a beer that complements the dish.

Contrast: Your beer and food can offset each item’s distinguishable flavor elements. Some foods pair better with beers that have opposite flavors or textures. Take the dominant flavor in a food dish, or beer type, and pair it with the complete opposite; for example take pasta with broccoli rabe and spicy sausage and pair it with a rich, malty amber lager to mellow out the intensity of the food.

Complement: Sometimes similar flavors work to form an agreeable taste or complimentary pairing. A suitable example of this would be a rich molten chocolate cake served with a dark, toasty porter or stout which works well with the strong, sweet flavors of the dessert. In this combination, even the colors of the pairing are in alignment.

 Key Flavor Elements in Beer:                                                                                             

• Clean/Crisp- Light/Pale Straw                                             
• Citrus/Fruity-Dark Straw/Light Amber
• Sweetness-Pale Amber
• Hoppy/Spicy-Deep Amber/Copper
• Roasted Malt-Brown
• Richness-Black

 Key Flavor Elements in Food:

• Rich-Chocolate
• Aromatic-Garlic
• Spicy/Heat-Peppers
• Charred/Smoky-Smoked Sausage/Meats
• Sweet-Honey, Strawberries
• Tart/Acidic-Oranges, Lemons
• Fruity-Mix of Fruit

General Guidelines for Pairing the Beer with Food

• Spicy and Aromatic Foods = Work well with Lagers, Light Beers or Wheat Styles
• Rich Foods = Work best with Pilsners or Stouts
• Sweet Foods = Work best with Pale Ales, Dark Lagers, or European Pilsners
• Charred or Smoky Foods = Work best with Brown Ales or Lagers 

We hope you find these tips helpful for preparing your holiday table this year.  Happy holidays to you and yours from Price Chopper.

Don’t Skimp on Your Shrimp! By Lee French, Vice President Seafood Merchandising

Did you know that all shrimp is not created equal? Only Chopper Shoppers have access to the best shrimp available, exclusively in our Seafood Departments.  Price Chopper bagged shrimp is only available at our stores, and we pride ourselves on having the best quality seafood you can find.  This holiday season; treat your guests to the very best!

The shrimp that you buy in a Price Chopper labeled bag are raised 100% antibiotic free. Each bite of shrimp will give you a firm snap and create an explosion of flavor, no matter how you are preparing them!  You won’t find any broken pieces in our bags; our unique clear plastic bag allows you to see exactly what you are buying.  All our shrimp is fully traceable and processed in HACCP certified plants that are also ACC (Aquaculture Certification Council) certified as using the Best Aquaculture Practices.  This means the shrimp is the best you can buy! 

Take it from a Seafood Guy….This new shrimp, just in time for the holidays, is another way Price Chopper is your great BIG holiday Helper! 

We would love to hear your tips on using shrimp during the holidays! 

Here are some of our recommendations on how to impress your guests with Price Chopper shrimp:

Shrimp & Mushroom Alfredo

1 cup mushroom slices

1/2 cup onion, chopped

4 Tbs. butter

2 Tbs. flour

Pepper, to taste

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups cooked, peeled, deveined (31-40 count) Price Chopper shrimp

2 Tbs. Parmesan cheese

1/2 lb. linguine, cooked according to package directions

Saute mushrooms and onions in butter.  Blend in flour and pepper and cook 1-2 minutes.  Gradually add milk.  Cook, stirring constantly until thickened.  Add shrimp and Parmesan cheese.  Toss with linguine.  Serves 4.

Broiled Stuffed Shrimp

1 lb. (13-15 count) Price Chopper shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 1/2 cups bread crumbs

6 cloves garlic, crushed

3 Tbs. dried parsley

Salt and pepper, to taste

3/4 tsp. oregano

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/4-1/2 cup white wine

Paprika

Shell shrimp, leaving tail intact.  Slit the shrimp lengthwise from the underside, opening completely and exposing the vein which is then disposed of.  Rinse shrimp and pat dry.  In a bowl, mix the bread crumbs, garlic, parlsey, salt, pepper, oregano and melted butter.  Reserve some butter for basting.  Add enough wine to make the mixture pliable.  Divide the stuffing among the shrimp and fill the exposed cavity, pressing gently.  Place on a baking sheet and brush the tops with reserved butter.  Sprinkle with paprika.  Broil shrimp until nicely browned, 5-10 minutes.

 

Price Chopper is the Best Place to Buy Gift Cards!

It’s big gift giving news this holiday season at Price Chopper.  Have you seen gas prices go up over the past few weeks?  Well, here is another way to put more money back in your own pocket instead of spending it at the gas pump. Every time Chopper Shoppers buy gift cards,  they get a gift….BIG GAS DISCOUNTS!!!   Here are the top 5 reasons to get your gift cards from us!!!

1. When you buy gift cards, you save on gas!
2. You save time and money with the one stop shop!
3. We have all your favorite gift cards!
4. We have all their favorite gift cards!
5. Save even more on gas when you buy your gift cards at Price Chopper for YOUR favorite retailers, then use them to pay for your holiday gifts!

Chopper Shoppers, lets put this in perspective, if you spend $500 on gift cards for your friends and family, you will receive $1 off per gallon of gas up to 20 gallons….that’s $20 back in your pocket instead of in your gas tank!  That discount is just for gift cards, then add on the fuel rewards that you get for buying your groceries, party platters, floral arrangements, holiday cards, hostess gifts and any other things you may need to may the holidays special and you will save BIG on your fuel bill this holiday season!

Choose from over 50 gift cards like Toys R Us, Applebees, Bed Bath and Beyond, Kohl’s, and many, many more!  Visit www.pricechopper.com for details.

*Offer does not include the purchase of Price Chopper gift cards. Fuel discounts are given on Price Chopper gift cards upon redemption of the card.  Gift Card Purchase is limited to $999 in a single transaction.  Subject to availability.  See gift cards for details, terms, conditions and (if applicable) fees.  All trademarks are property of their respective owners.  The Visa Gift Card is issued by MetaBank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.

Please Join Us For Our First Annual Cancer Research Progress Report

Click here to view the Invitation

We are very excited to be hosting our first annual “Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research Progress Report” at Proctor’s GE Theater in Schenectady, NY on November 2^nd at 7pm.  This is a rare opportunity for the public to get an insider’s look into state-of-the-art research and treatment options.  All are invited to listen and learn about developments in preventing and curing women’s cancers directly from a renowned research team from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, whose studies are funded by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Dr. Dirk Iglehart is a specialist on the genes that cause breast cancer to originate and to spread, and he leads a team dedicated to developing effective treatments that can target these genes and stop them in their tracks.  Dr. Ursula Matulonis focuses on gynecologic malignancies and the genetic links between breast and ovarian cancers.  “The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s ability to support the most promising research to resolve breast cancer depends on the generosity of partners like Price Chopper which are dedicated to giving back and improving health” states Myra Biblowit, president of the Foundation.  “Price Chopper is an example of corporate philanthropy at its very best.”

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  This is a fight that Price Chopper has waged for over 20 years.  We are a multi-site flagship sponsor for the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides” fundraisers in 3 New York state locations: Albany, Utica, Syracuse, as well as Burlington, VT; and Hartford, CT.  And once again the cause is personal – Associates, customers and friends and family are all at risk.  With Breast Cancer affecting 1 in 8 woman, most of us know at least one woman impacted by the disease.   

It was that reality that inspired our company to team with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to further support the search to find a cure.  3 years ago Price Chopper created their Breast Cancer Awareness – Join The Fight campaign. This is an annual in-store program that contributes 5 cents of the purchase of specially-marked Price Chopper brand products directly to BCRF’s innovative “Research in Action” program.  This program directly funds research grants such as the ones being led by Drs. Iglehart and Matulonis at leading medical centers worldwide. “We are so very proud of our commitment to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which in turn funds researchers who are investigating the root causes of cancer,” said our president and CEO, Neil Golub. “The spirit of our efforts is fueled by the fact that if root causes can be isolated, then cures can be developed,” he added.  The hope is that a cure will be found soon.  In the meantime, we will continue to fight for the cause and for the communities we serve.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and translational research.  In October 2009, nearly $29 million will be awarded to 171 scientists across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. BCRF perseveres in directing at least 85 cents of every dollar raised directly to research.  And for the eighth consecutive year, BCRF received Charity Navigator’s highest rating, four stars, thus outperforming over 99.8% of the 5,400 evaluated charities, while the American Institute of Philanthropy has awarded BCRF its highest possible rating of A+.  BCRF is the only breast cancer organization in the U.S. to receive these accolades.  For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org