Gourmet News

Giant Food Pharmacies Add Flu, Strep Testing Along With COVID Testing, Boosters

Published December 19, 2022

Fourteen Giant Food pharmacy locations throughout Maryland and Virginia are offering on-site testing for flu A and B strains and strep throat for individuals 3 years of age and older. Giant’s flu and strep throat testing joins its other reliable and convenient medical services, including COVID-19 antibody testing and immunizations including updated COVID-19 (bivalent) boosters, all as part of the retailer’s effort to expand convenient point-of-care testing access and support the health of its communities.

Testing is administered by Giant’s certified in-store pharmacists or certified technicians and results will be received within 10 minutes. If further consultation is needed, Giant Pharmacy offers an optional telehealth visit with a healthcare provider through Physician 360 ($29.95 fee applies payable to Physician 360 with discount code “GIANT”) to receive a consultation and any needed prescriptions, without leaving the pharmacy.

“Giant Food is committed to helping our customers by being a one-stop solution for not just their food needs, but also as part of their whole wellness package. By offering these new testing services, we are enabling customers to get their results instantly, speak to a doctor, and receive their medicine without ever leaving a Giant Pharmacy,” said Paul Zvaleny, director of pharmacy operations at Giant Food. “Our Giant Pharmacy team is committed to keeping our communities in good health and we continue to keep our flu and cold products stocked for customers during this time of year when seasonal illness is often at a high.”

The cost of flu testing is $39.99, and the cost of strep throat testing is $29.99, though these fees may be FSA/HSA eligible and patients are encouraged to contact their plan provider for more information.

Patients are required to make an appointment and can be booked online at https://giantfood.com/pages/diagnostic-testing. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

For more information, or to schedule an on-site flu or strep test, visit https://giantfood.com/pages/diagnostic-testing.

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Music Sampling Stars Promote Coca-Cola’s ‘Recycled Records’

Published December 15, 2022

The Coca-Cola Company has teamed up with two of the most legendary names in the history of music sampling, Mark Ronson and Madlib, to bring a bold musical experiment to life with the launch of “Recycled Records.”

The campaign introduces an original EP made up of the sounds taken from the bottle-to-bottle recycling process, alongside a versatile sound library and engaging short film. Not only will fans be able to listen to these uniquely made tracks, but they’ll also get the chance to re-mix the very same sound library used by the two musical legends into innovative compositions of their own through an interactive digital beat machine.

Creative masters Ronson and Madlib chopped, looped, and distorted recycled sounds, vocals, and ambient noises into an imaginative collection of six one-of-a-kind tracks to celebrate Sprite, Fresca and Seagram’s transition from green to clear packaging. From the percussion of a forklift beeping to the tonal beat of a conveyor belt to the hi-hat of air blown into a plastic bottle, the EP brings to life the magic of multiple reuses.

Mark Ronson

“Sampling is an artform which is constantly regenerating. The tiniest sound, whether from an old record or from the world around us, can inspire an entire piece of music. I learnt from my heroes, DJ Premier and Q-Tip, who all made incredible albums from sampling, and it’s stayed an integral part of my work up until today,” said Grammy-award winning producer and sampling master Ronson.

A sound sample is to music as clear plastic is to recycling. The process of music sampling is ongoing; an old sound is used in a new track, which is flipped again into a newer track, and so on. When green plastic is recycled, it is usually turned into single-use items that do not get recycled again – so, it was time for a moment of clarity. Now Sprite, Fresca and Seagram’s clear plastic bottles increase the likelihood of them being remade into new bottles.

Madlib

“A great sample doesn’t have to come from other music, it just has to make you move,” said award-winning pioneer producer and legendary artist, Madlib, also known as the “Loop Digga,” “Quasimoto” and many other aliases. “The thud of a plastic bottle going through a recycling facility is, in its own way, a piece of art, it has the ability to transform. Being able to take sounds from the recycling process that are so different from what I’ve used in the past, and flipping it into a whole new format, is a great example of the versatility of sound. Now any cat has the opportunity to make some dope sounds of their own.”

To learn more, fans can look to critically acclaimed artist and female pioneer of rap, MC Lyte, who narrates a documentary-style short film that draws a clear connection between the heritage and spirit of music sampling and the closed loop recycling process. The captivating film, filled with rich soundscapes, imaginative beats and riveting visuals, showcases the creative process behind “Recycled Records” including extensive sound recordings at recycling facilities nationwide and a fascinating glimpse into the studios of Mark Ronson and Madlib.

“The Coca-Cola Company is thrilled to have teamed up with Mark Ronson and Madlib to celebrate our portfolio’s transition from green to clear plastic. This sonic partnership is part of The Coca-Cola Company’s broader World Without Waste goals,” said Kurt Ritter, Vice president and general manager, sustainability, The Coca-Cola Company North America.“We’re excited about the switch because it increases the amount of high-quality, food-grade recycled plastic available in the marketplace and ultimately allows our brands to use more recycled plastic in their packaging.”

Packaging innovation alone will not solve the plastic waste crisis. While the transition away from green plastic is one of many steps needed to drive a circular economy, The Coca-Cola Company recognizes it has a responsibility to keep evolving its process, and this is just one of the steps the company is taking to do so.

Consumers can join in on the magic of multiple uses by watching the film and taking the Recycled Records beat machine for a spin to create their own musical compositions at www.cokeurl.com/greentoclear.

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Stonewall Kitchen, Vermont Coffee Company Donate $19K+ to Vermont Foodbank

Published December 14, 2022

Stonewall Kitchen and Vermont Coffee Company have donated$19,720 to Vermont Foodbank. A large portion of the contribution comes through a wholesale partnership, where 5 percent of Vermont Coffee Company’s 32-ounce Friend Blend sales are set aside for the cause.

“Vermont Coffee Company started on the basis of roasting coffee for friends,” Stonewall Kitchen Chief Executive Officer John Stiker said. “It became the company’s mission of how business is done. Coffee is a social stimulus that brings people together where a community is formed. This holiday season, we’re proud to support such a worthy organization that helps so many in need.”

Vermont Foodbank has three distribution centers that serve over 225 food shelves across all 14 counties in Vermont. The Vermont Foodbank is able to turn Stonewall Kitchen’s donation into the equivalent of nearly 33,000 meals.

“The Vermont Foodbank continues to distribute millions of pounds of food to meet the unprecedented need,” Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles said. “With 2 in 5 people in Vermont having experienced food insecurity in the past year, it is crucial that we continue to work together to make sure our neighbors have the food they need and want. The support of Stonewall Kitchen means that our neighbors have access to the food they need to thrive during these challenging times, as we work together to fulfill the promise of a Vermont without hunger.”

To learn more about Stonewall Kitchen’s Family of Brands, visit stonewallkitchen.com. To learn more about how you can help Vermont Food Bank visit vtfoodbank.org or check your state and local resources to support a food bank near you.

Stonewall Kitchen is a leading specialty food, home goods and personal care producer headquartered in York, Maine. Founded in 1991 by partners Jonathan King and Jim Stott, the two established the Stonewall Kitchen brand by selling jams and jellies at local farmers’ markets with a flavorful line of distinctive and high-quality products. Over time, they expanded the brand to include sauces, condiments, crackers and baking mixes, always focusing on innovative product development, beautiful packaging, and exceptional guest service.

Today, Stonewall Kitchen is the premier specialty food and home goods platform in North America, home to a family of premium quality brands including the flagship Stonewall Kitchen brand; the Michel Design Works brand of elegantly designed and crafted personal and home care products; the Vermont Coffee Company brand of high quality, non-GMO, certified organic coffee; the Urban Accents brand of globally-inspired spice mixes, seasonings, and sauces; the Village Candle brand of fragranced candles, gifts and accessories; the Tillen Farms brand of pickled vegetables and cocktail cherries; the Napa Valley Naturals brand of olive oils, culinary oils, balsamic vinegars and wine vinegars; the Montebello brand of artisan organic pasta imported from Italy; the Vermont Village brand of organic apple sauce and apple cider vinegars; and the Legal Sea Foods brand of restaurant-quality seafood sauces and condiments.

The company boasts more than 19,000 stores nationwide and internationally; a thriving catalog and online division; café in York, Maine; and eleven retail Company Stores throughout New England. As winners of 34 prestigious awards from the Specialty Food Association and the recipient of the coveted Outstanding Product Line Honors three times, Stonewall Kitchen is proud to be one of the most awarded specialty food companies in the country.

Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, providing nutritious food through a network of more than 300 community partners – food shelves, meal sites, schools, hospitals, and housing sites. Food insecurity has increased dramatically as a result of the pandemic and economic conditions. Vermont Foodbank and its network have been on the front lines, working to ensure that everyone has the nutritious food they need. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank provided over 17 million pounds of food to people throughout Vermont. Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation.

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