Get Adobe Flash player

admin

Sprouts Using Instacart’s Foodstorm to Fill Thanksgiving Dinner Orders

Sprouts Farmers Market, one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural, and organic foods in the United States, is now accepting holiday pre-orders for Thanksgiving. Sprouts is partnering with Instacart’s Foodstorm solution, which will strengthen catering services with a seamless digital platform and enhanced customer experience. Shoppers can order through the Sprouts website.

“Sprouts is committed to providing a seamless customer experience across all facets of our business, and we’re thrilled to partner with our friends at Instacart to bring Foodstorm to Sprouts. This will give our customers a new and convenient way to order better-for-you meals this holiday season,” said Nick Konat, president and chief operating officer of Sprouts.

Thanksgiving pre-orders will be available for pickup on November 15 through noon on November 23.

Pre-orders available at sprouts.com/holiday include:

  • Natural Turkeys – no added antibiotics, ever
  • Uncured Spiral Ham, no sugar added, gluten-free
  • Premium Angus Beef Rib Roasts, all-natural USDA choice, no artificial ingredients
  • Vegan Roasts
  • Full meal kits available with any main course meat
  • Fruit, Veggies & Cheese Trays
  • Appetizer Trays
  • Sandwich Trays
  • Bakery & Dessert Trays
  • Seafood Trays

“We are thrilled to share a festive assortment of seasonal better-for-you offerings,” said Scott Neal, chief merchandising officer of Sprouts. “This holiday season, our focus is on providing healthy options for every dietary lifestyle. Celebrate your healthy holiday with organic turkeys, hams, and roasts, and fully prepared holiday meals. There’s always something unique waiting to be discovered, whether it’s a plant-based side dish or one of our award-winning freshly baked pies, we have something for everyone at your table.”

In addition to holiday catering, Sprouts is offering seasonal items for shoppers, available in-store.

Holiday Sides

  • Sprouts Gluten-free Rosemary & Sage Stuffing
  • Sprouts Plant-Based Cornbread Stuffing

Charcuterie Boards Inspiration

  • Champignon Combozola Black Label Blue Cheese
  • Boursin Dairy-free Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread
  • Freybe Tequila Ghost Pepper Salami
  • Brooklyn Cured Trio Beef Salami
  • Sprouts Croccante Italian Crackers
  • Sprouts Grain-free Crackers

Baked Goods

  • Ready-to-decorate Mini Gingerbread House
  • Gingerbread Mug Huggers

December pre-orders resume December 4 with pickups available December 15 through noon on December 24. Sprouts stores will be open Thanksgiving Day 7 am – 2 pm; Christmas Eve 7 am – 7 pm; Closed Christmas Day; Open New Year’s Eve 7 am – 8 pm; Open News Year’s Day 7 am – 10 pm (regular store hours).

For more information and inspiration, visit www.sprouts.com/holiday-inspiration-and-recipes/.

For more news of interest to the grocery industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

USDA Invests $52M to Improve Access to Fruits, Vegetables

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing more than $52 million to improve dietary health and access to fresh fruits and vegetables for eligible families. 

The funds support efforts across three National Institute of Food and Agriculture competitive grant programs that make up the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.  

The program is named in honor of the former USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (1997 to 2001). 

“USDA is delivering on its promise to bolster food and nutrition security for underserved communities,” said USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young. “Investments like this enable people to afford and eat healthy fresh fruits and vegetables so they don’t have to make a choice between healthy eating and cheaper less healthier options.” 

GusNIP’s three grant programs include Nutrition Incentive, Produce Prescription and the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation and Information Center. By bringing together stakeholders from various parts of the food and health care systems, GusNIP projects help foster understanding to improve the health and nutritional status of participating households, facilitate growth in underrepresented communities and geographies, and aggregate data to identify and improve best practices on a broad scale. 

“GusNIP has provided over $270 million in funding to nearly 200 projects throughout the U.S. since its 2019 launch and participants are consistently reporting increased fruit and vegetable intake as a result,” said NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra. “This latest round of funding only strengthens the impacts these programs are having nationwide.” 

Nineteen awardees are receiving GusNIP Nutrition Incentive funding totaling $41.8 million. NI projects increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at the point of purchase among income-eligible households participating in the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

Produce Prescription awards account for $5.2 million to 11 awardees. These projects demonstrate and evaluate the impact of fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions. The goals of the program are to increase procurement and consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduce individual and household food insecurity and reduce health care use and associated costs. 

One awardee is receiving $7 million through the NTAE Center program. NTAE projects offer training, technical assistance, evaluation and informational support services. 

For more news of interest to the specialty food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

IDF Animal Health Report Details Young Stock Management

The latest edition of the International Dairy Federation Animal Health Report, dedicated to the science and practice of young stock management, takes readers on a global journey, exploring intriguing and inspirational cases from around the world, emphasizing the pivotal role played by calf and young animal management in ensuring the health and welfare of the dairy sector.

The IDF Animal Health Report transports its readers to diverse locations, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Nigeria, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and The Netherlands. Additionally, the report provides valuable insights from the World Organisation for Animal Health, one of IDF’s key stakeholders.

Whether you are a seasoned dairy farmer with years of experience or an inquisitive observer seeking knowledge, this edition shines a light on the transformation in the global dairy landscape. Today, animal welfare is viewed holistically, with a strong emphasis on the care and nurturing of calves and youngstock. This shift in perspective has made animal health and welfare a top priority for the dairy industry.

Caroline Emond, director general of the International Dairy Federation, said, “I extend a warm invitation to immerse yourself in this exploration of young stock management, with the goal of championing the well-being of the future generation of dairy animals. The health and welfare of our young stock are the foundation upon which a thriving and sustainable dairying is constructed.”

This edition of the IDF Animal Health Report is a testament to the global efforts to advance young stock management and to create a brighter future for dairy animals. The IDF continues to be at the forefront of initiatives to promote best practices and innovative approaches in the dairy industry.

For more information and to access the IDF Animal Health Report, please visit the IDF website.

For more news of interest to the dairy industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.