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New Seasons Market Named Top Oregon Employer, Retailer

Forbes Magazine ranked New Seasons Market as the number one Oregonbased employer and retailer, as noted in a recent market research study conducted with Statista. The ranking, which was compiled by surveying 70,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 500 employees, also noted Fremont, Calif.-based Lam Research and Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco Wholesale as top employers in the state.

“Amidst so much transition and change throughout the last several years, it’s incredible to be recognized by our staff as a top employer,” said New Seasons Market CEO Nancy Lebold. “We hold our staff in such high regard, and truly value the contributions that each and every one of them provide to our communities, customers and the overall team. We are honored to see this acknowledged at a national scale.”

The list is divided into 51 rankings – one for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia – with surveys conducted anonymously, allowing participants to freely share their opinions. The final list includes 1,382 U.S. employers that received the most recommendations.

“Two years into an ongoing global pandemic that’s forever transformed the workplace, what makes a good employer? Whether working remotely or from the office, Americans’ priorities have changed,” said Forbes. “Employers have had to motivate talent, combat burnout and ensure the well-being and safety of their workers, while pursuing profits amid a sensitive political landscape that spurred new levels of corporate activism – not to mention a growing divide in what people want from institutions and companies.”

As an employer, New Seasons Market offers industry-leading compensation and a comprehensive benefits plan that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid parental leave, paid volunteer time and paid vacation. And, as the first grocer to achieve B Corp certification, New Seasons Market aims to exceed standards for social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

New Seasons Market focuses on building and nourishing the communities it serves – creating lasting relationships with customers, staff and vendors. The company purchases from as many local tastemakers as possible, connecting them with customers and doing its part to champion the regional food economy. Operating financially responsibly, inspiring environmental stewardship, supporting nonprofits and contributing to the neighborhood are just a few more ways New Seasons Market is committed to being the ultimate neighborhood store.

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UPDATE: NationsBenefits Acquires DeliverLean

As of Sept. 21,  NationsBenefits has acquired DeliverLean, a food manufacturer specializing in health and wellness. The acquisition is part of NationsBenefits’ strategic vision to expand its healthy foods benefit offering to meet the ever-growing needs of health plans with Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.

DeliverLean’s food as medicine solution, which is being introduced with the NationsMarket brand name, will help MA plan members and low-income populations to live healthier by addressing nutrition and providing specific and actionable direction to motivate behavioral changes in their diets.

With a growing demand for home-delivered, nutritionally focused products such as groceries, fresh produce, and prepared meals, NationsBenefits can help Medicare beneficiaries achieve better health and wellness by providing them with convenient and easy-to-use products. The healthy foods benefit offering is designed to improve members’ health and satisfaction while reducing overall health care costs.

DeliverLean founder Scott Harris will continue to lead this division, as a part of NationsBenefits.

The Deliver Lean acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022.

NationsBenefits provides supplemental benefits, flex cards and member engagement solutions for health plans.

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Central Perk Coffeehouse Breaks Into Reality

EDITOR’S NOTE: Try reading this announcement about Central Perk without having the “Friends” theme loop in your brain. We couldn’t!

Central PerkWarner Bros. Themed Entertainment with CenPer Holdings, composed of industry experts from the coffee, specialty food and beverage, hospitality, and entertainment worlds — including “Top Chef” and multiple James Beard Foundation Award Winner Tom Colicchio — announced Central Perk Coffeehouse, a modern-day coffeehouse inspired by the hit TV series, opening its first location in 2023.

Imbued with the same heart and soul as the iconic setting from the series, Central Perk Coffeehouse will be a place for fans (and friends) to slow down and come together over great coffee and eats.

Fans know Central Perk as the gathering place for Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandle>r, and Ross — the ultimate hang-out spot — not only to get a delicious cup of coffee but also where the gang spent much of their free time conversing and making memories.  Fast forward 28 years and a modern-day version will open its real doors in 2023.

“Central Perk is more than just a coffeehouse, it was a home away from home for our six favorite ‘Friends’,” said Peter van Roden, SVP, Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment.  “Working closely with the CenPer Holdings team in creating this fresh, yet familiar environment, we’re looking forward to giving fans a coffeehouse of their own — coffeehouses that captures the heart of the show while delivering a first-class coffee experience.”

While the first location and opening date will be announced soon, fans will immediately be able to get their coffee fix now with the launch of Central Perk Coffee, a line of artisanal quality coffees made with the highest quality premium Arabica beans available in three select varietals:

– “How You Doin’?” (medium roast)
– “Pivot Blend” (medium/dark roast)
– “We Were on a Coffee Break” (dark roast)

“Our goal with this partnership and the Central Perk brand,” Colicchio said, “like all of my food and beverage enterprises, is to secure the best ingredients and then deliver superior products and services for a great customer experience.  With Central Perk, we can’t wait to offer friends old and new a really enjoyable premium cup of coffee and hope they settle in with us for the next chapter of this beloved story.”

Each blend is available in whole bean and ground formats, as well as BPI Certified compostable single serve coffee pods compatible with Keurig K-Cup  brewers.  Single Central Perk Coffee products are also available.  All coffees are sustainably sourced, produced and packaged using responsible environmental practices.

Central Perk Coffee can be orderedby visiting www.centralperk.com. The first 6,000 subscribers will receive a complimentary collectable can of “How You Doin’?” coffee, a medium roast ground varietal. This individually numbered limited edition tin was created exclusively for true “Friends” fans and coffee lovers.

Fans can watch “Friends: The Reunion” special and binge all 236 episodes of the original beloved series on HBO Max.

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