Gourmet News

SEG Celebrates Pet Month by Donating Supplies to Animal Welfare Groups

Published May 6, 2024

Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is celebrating Pet Month this May by donating more than $22,000 in pet supplies to seven animal welfare organizations throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

SEG’s contribution aims to support the vital work of the following organizations, each committed to rescuing, nurturing and finding forever homes for animals in need:

Jacksonville Humane Society (Jacksonville)
Lee County Domestic Animal Services (Fort Myers)
Humane Society of Tampa Bay (Tampa)
Paws Humane Society (Columbus, Georgia)
Southern Pines Animal Shelter (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Louisiana SPCA (New Orleans)
Greater Birmingham Humane Society (Birmingham, Ala.)

Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “Southeastern Grocers is deeply passionate about the well-being of our four-legged friends. As we celebrate Pet Month, we’re not only supporting organizations; we’re championing the love, companionship and joy pets bring into our lives. It’s an honor to partner with these incredible animal welfare organizations, and we invite our customers to join us in making a heartfelt difference for animals in need.”

During the month of May, SEG encourages Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers to support local animals in need by purchasing a reusable Community Bag with a Giving Tag for $2.99 and selecting their local animal welfare organization as the donation recipient. With each purchase of a Community Bag with a Giving Tag, $1 will directly benefit the selected nonprofit organization, while also promoting environmental sustainability by reducing the use of paper and plastic bags.

In 2023, SEG’s Community Bag with a Giving Tag program provided more than $65,000 to local organizations and prevented the use of nearly 2 million single-use plastic bags.^*The reusable bags are made from durable, recycled materials and can be found at the register or near the entrance of every Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie store.

^*Southeastern Grocers estimates one reusable bag will be used at least six times per year, and each time a reusable bag is used it equates to five single-use bags not used; this means for every reusable bag that is sold, 30 single-use bags are not used.

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Impossible Chicken From Plants Lands in Whole Foods Market

Published May 6, 2024

This month, Impossible Foods is bringing its fan-favorite Impossible Chicken From Plants to select Whole Foods Market locations in the United States, expanding consumer access to delicious, nutrient-dense meat from plants that’s better for the planet.

Starting May 2024, Whole Foods Market shoppers can enjoy the No. 1 chicken-from-plants product in the United states, Impossible Chicken Nuggets, which are described as tasting as good or better than animal chicken nuggets in a consumer taste test. Impossible Chicken Nuggets will be joined in the freezer aisle by Impossible Chicken Patties – preferred by 61 percent of consumers over a leading animal chicken patty –– as well as both of their spicy counterparts.

Impossible Chicken Nuggets and Chicken Patties offer high-quality protein and fiber in each golden, savory serving, and are nutritionally competitive with their animal counterparts with no cholesterol, up to 35% less total fat and up to 60 percent less saturated fat. Impossible Chicken is also responsible for approximately 44 percent less water consumption, 49 percent less land usage and 36 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than animal chicken.

“Launching in Whole Foods Market is a proud moment that’s been a long time coming. Impossible Chicken will now be broadly available and distributed in retail across America – we can’t emphasize enough the impact this will have on the consumer, the category and the planet,” said Peter McGuinness, president and CEO of Impossible Foods. “We’re already available in tens of thousands of retail stores across the country, and working with Whole Foods Market allows us to reach even more shoppers. They’re more conscious about their well-being and the environment, and are seeking delicious, nutritious food options that match their lifestyle. We look forward to Impossible Chicken being added to their weekly grocery lists.”

Whole Foods Market is widely recognized for helping bring organic and natural food products into the mainstream. Now, the leading natural foods purveyor is further expanding accessibility to plant-based products with Impossible’s best-selling chicken from plants.

“We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of Impossible Chicken From Plants at Whole Foods Market,” said Christopher Manca, principal category merchant at Whole Foods Market. “This exciting addition reflects our commitment to providing diverse, flavorful options for plant-based eaters, making it even easier to enjoy delicious meals that align with our customer’s dietary preferences.”

The announcement comes as Impossible Foods continues its streak as the fastest growing major meat from plants brand in U.S. retail, outpacing the growth rate of the rest of the U.S. plant-based meat category in both dollar sales and unit sales across its expansive network of more than 30,000 retail locations. In March 2024, the company revealed it would be leveraging this position of strength to evolve its overall brand identity to be more welcoming and approachable to flexitarians and meat-eating consumers, as it seeks to further grow awareness and household penetration for itself and the broader plant-based category.

Shoppers across the US can expect to see Impossible Chicken in its new, bold red packaging in the freezer aisle of select Whole Foods Market locations over the coming weeks.

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Josh Abbott Promotes DQ Restaurants in Texas

Published April 30, 2024

Josh Abbott and DQ restaurants in Texas do it again with another exciting collaboration. The two Texas icons have come together with the Josh Abbott Meal featuring the country singer’s favorite childhood meal, runs through May 26 at participating DQ restaurants in Texas.

“I am from a little town called Idalou outside of Lubbock, Texas, and Dairy Queen was always my go to spot growing up,” said Abbott, lead singer of the Josh Abbott Band. “Whether I was heading to Dairy Queen after a basketball or football game, or going to Dairy Queen with my grandpa, I have a lot of great memories with the brand.”

The Josh Abbott Meal features a four-piece Steak Finger Country Basket, a mini M&M’s Milk Chocolate Blizzard Treat, a refreshing Iced Tea, and a collectible limited-edition Josh Abbott cup, available at participating restaurants while supplies last.

When it comes DQ, Abbott said he gravitated to the steak finger basket growing up because it was unique.

“You can go to a lot of places with burgers or chicken, but Dairy Queen has the variety, and I loved the steak fingers.”

“Texans work hard and play hard, and when they are hungry, they come to DQ restaurants in Texas for their favorite Treats & Eats,” said Lou Romanus, CEO of Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council. “We have enjoyed working with Josh the last couple of years who brings his nostalgia and passion for Dairy Queen into this new initiative.”

The two Texas icons joined forces in 2022 to create a fresh new sound for DQ restaurants in Texas with one of the most recognizable jingles in the Lone Star State, “That’s What I Like About Texas.” The country music star brought his distinctive style to the jingle, which has been a staple for the past two decades.

Today, Abbott is building DQ memories with his own kids. He and his family recently visited a DQ location, where he introduced his children to the Blizzard Treat.

“Watching their faces, that sugar rush and the joy was a really cool moment! We filmed it and I am so glad we have that on camera now,” said Abbott.

Abbott founded the Josh Abbott Band in 2006 while attending Texas Tech University. The seven-piece group cut its teeth as a hard-touring act with hooky melodies that deliver real-world stories. The Josh Abbott Band released its seventh studio LP “Somewhere Down The Road” in January. Produced by Dwight A. Baker (Flatland Cavalry), the new album is their first full-length since 2020 and is the first featuring a newly reconfigured lineup. The band is on tour across the country. Visit joshabbottband.com for tour dates.

There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas.

The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas.

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