Gourmet News

Potatoes USA Puts Modern Spin on Thanksgiving Staple

Published November 22, 2022

Potato and Turkey Pot Pie

Everyone knows it’s not Thanksgiving without potatoes, but most people don’t know how America’s favorite vegetable ended up on our plate for this American holiday. If you’re looking to put a modern twist on your classic Thanksgiving potatoes, Potatoes USA has some fun new recipes to mix things up at your holiday table.

Did you know that potatoes were not on the first Thanksgiving menu in 1621? The Native Americans and Plymouth settlers likely feasted on food like venison, dried fish, eels and a native variety of corn in the form of porridge. We know children across the country are grateful they don’t have to say, “Please pass the eels!”

While the pilgrims may not have had potatoes on their table, researchers from Utah have discovered that Native Americans in the western United States ate wild potatoes nearly 11,000 years ago. But it wasn’t until we were a fledgling nation that potatoes (which had come to Europe via Spanish Conquistadors in South America) started growing toward the popularity they enjoy today.

By the time Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November a “day of Thanksgiving,” potatoes were much loved around the country … and the rest is history!

“It’s no wonder potatoes have become a Thanksgiving staple. They’re easy, affordable and guaranteed to please everybody at your table!” said chef and registered dietician R.J. Harvey, director of culinary at Potatoes USA.

Potatoes also are a nutritional powerhouse. Per serving, they pack more vitamin C than pumpkin, more iron than green beans, and more potassium than sweet potatoes.

“Potatoes don’t have to be your guilty pleasure. They are naturally fat-, cholesterol- and sodium-free, and they’re the type of quality carbohydrate that fuels performance for your family flag football game!” Harvey said.

If you’re looking to take your potatoes up a notch this Thanksgiving, try this delicious recipe for Roasted Fingerlings with Brown Butter, Garlic, and Thyme. Yum!

Looking for a twist on the classic mashed potato recipe? Try Fall Harvest Mashed Potatoes.

Want to throw it all together in one pan? Try this recipe for Sheet Pan Roasted Turkey and Herbed Potatoes. How easy can it get?

Or looking for something to do with all those leftovers? Toss them into crowd-pleasing Potato and Turkey Pot Pie.

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Campbell to Advance Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

Published November 22, 2022

Campbell Soup Company and Enel North America have made a 12-year virtual renewable power purchase agreement, supporting Campbell’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Campbell will purchase the electricity and the associated renewable energy credits from a 115 megawatt share of Enel’s Seven Cowboy wind project in Oklahoma. The contract is expected to commence in July 2023.

“Improving the sustainability of the agriculture and food value chain is important to Campbell,” said Stewart Lindsay, Campbell’s vice president, corporate responsibility and sustainability. “Reducing emissions is a key part of this work, and the agreement with Enel North America provides a significant step forward in meeting our science-based emissions targets.”

The renewable energy credits retained through the agreement will reduce Campbell’s Scope 2 GHG emissions, enabling the company to make substantial progress toward achieving its science-based target to reduce its combined Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 42 percent by fiscal year 2030. Using expected production from Campbell’s portion of the wind project, the renewable electricity is estimated to avoid approximately 191,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions every year, or the equivalent of approximately 29% of Campbell’s fiscal year 2021 combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

“We are proud to support Campbell’s goal to create a more sustainable food system,” said Paolo Romanacci, head of Enel North America’s renewable energy business, Enel Green Power. “This agreement demonstrates how food and beverage companies like Campbell can leverage clean energy solutions to achieve their emissions reduction goals, while also supporting the addition of new renewable energy to the electric grid.”

Located southwest of Oklahoma City, the Seven Cowboy wind project will have 107 turbines that are expected to generate over 1.3 terawatt hours of energy each year, equivalent to the electricity needs of over 120,000 U.S. households.

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SEG’s Holiday Spirit Includes Donations to Feeding America

Published November 22, 2022

Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is celebrating the season of giving with donations to dedicated nonprofit partners and encouraging customers and associates to embrace the holiday spirit.

SEG is activating a community donation program to help raise funds and awareness for food insecurity in support of its longstanding partner Feeding America. The grocer’s holiday hunger relief program will aid the nonprofit in its enduring efforts to help food insecure communities during the holidays, and every day. Starting Nov. 23 through Dec. 27, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers can help their neighbors in need this season of giving by donating $1, $5 or rounding up their grocery bill. Every cent raised will support Feeding America and Feeding America network food banks throughout the Southeast.

“As a grocer committed to feeding our local communities, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to celebrate the holidays and enjoy a meal with their loved ones,” said Raymond Rhee, chief people officer. “At Southeastern Grocers, we put people first, always. That means providing great savings to our customers who shop in our stores, as well as supporting our community members that may not know from where their next meal will come. We are grateful for our partnership with Feeding America and the privilege to help so many of our neighbors in need.”

To commence the holiday spirit and help those in need celebrate Thanksgiving, SEG, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, hosted 13 food distribution events throughout its communities to give away more than 7,000 frozen turkeys as well as holiday meal staples. Additionally, SEG donated $100,000 to the USO in support of the organization’s mission to strengthen America’s military members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their service. The donation was made possible by generous Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers and associates during the grocer’s two-week community donation program in recognition of Veterans Day.

In addition to giving, SEG is Thanks-WINNing this holiday season by helping customers save while shopping their local Winn-Dixie stores. Now through the New Year, Winn-Dixie customers can enjoy deeper discounts on more than 150 everyday items and save an average of 15% as part of the grocer’s Holiday Down Down program. Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers can also shop online for their holiday essentials and have their orders delivered right to their doorsteps in as little as two hours. By shopping through each grocer’s respective rewards app or website, customers will receive the same benefits of in-store pricing, deals and promotions with the convenience of delivery. Orders of $35 or more will automatically receive free delivery, for a limited time.

In appreciation of the grocer’s hardworking associates, all Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores will be closed Thanksgiving Day. Stores will close as normal Wednesday, Nov. 23 and open for regular business hours Friday, Nov. 25.

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