Gourmet News

Winn-Dixie Lets Mardi Gras Good Times Roll

Published January 12, 2024

Let the good times roll with Winn-Dixie during Carnival season this year. The grocer is now offering freshly baked king cakes in more than 50 different varieties, including traditional cinnamon, cream cheese, strawberry and chocolate – as well as two new flavors, cannoli and Chantilly. (Photo: Business Wire)

Let the good times roll with Winn-Dixie during Carnival season this year. The grocer is honoring its long-standing heritage by celebrating time-honored traditions and flavors locals know and love. From king cakes to parades, Winn-Dixie has all the classic food and fun to make this year’s Mardi Gras memorable.

Jennifer Robertson, regional vice president, said, “We are incredibly proud to serve the unique communities in Louisiana for nearly 70 years. It is a privilege to honor the long-standing local traditions that make our home truly special, and we are excited to join hands with our neighbors to revel in the spirit of Mardi Gras again this year. This Carnival season, Winn-Dixie continues to celebrate the fun-filled culture and decadent flavors that connect us all to the heart of the Gulf Coast. Laissez les bons temps rouler!”

A Carnival season staple, Winn-Dixie is now offering freshly baked king cakes in more than 50 different varieties, including traditional cinnamon, cream cheese, strawberry and chocolate – as well as two new flavors, cannoli and Chantilly. To pair with its tasty and unique king cakes, Winn-Dixie also offers a variety of party-ready foods, including a selection of freshly prepared finger sandwiches and delicious assorted wings. Customers can conveniently shop for Mardi Gras themed décor and apparel, plus award-winning beer, wine and liquor options at their neighborhood stores.

Winn-Dixie is proud to infuse local stores with the spirit of Mardi Gras and celebrate with customers throughout the season by hosting several free events across the Gulf Coast. Local community members can enjoy fun-filled revelry to celebrate while they shop at their neighborhood stores. Festivities will include:

King Cake Sampling in Louisiana: To give locals a taste of the season and energize their Carnival spirit, Winn-Dixie stores across Louisiana will host free king cake sampling events every Friday (Jan. 12, Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9) from 5 to 7 p.m. leading up to Mardi Gras.

Long Beach Winn-Dixie Pre-Parade Party: Ahead of the Carnival Association of Long Beach’s annual Mardi Gras night parade, the Winn-Dixie store, located at 109 N. Cleveland Ave. in Long Beach, Miss., will host a family friendly community party on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 3 to 6 p.m.with music and delicious food for pre-parade snacking.

King Cake Decorating Parties in Greater New Orleans and Pensacola areas: Select Winn-Dixie stores in the greater New Orleans and Pensacola areas will host free king cake decorating parties on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for families to revel in the season together.
- Airline Drive Winn-Dixie: 5901 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA 70003
- Luling Winn-Dixie: 12125 U.S. Highway 90, Luling, LA 70070
- Covington Winn-Dixie: 2100 Collins Blvd., Suite 132, Covington, LA 70433
- Gramercy Winn-Dixie: 1803 LA Highway 3125, Gramercy, LA 70052
- Eastgate Winn-Dixie: 7135 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504
- Cantonment Marketplace Winn-Dixie: 1550 S. U.S. Highway 29, Cantonment, FL 32533

Meet-and-Greet with Local Artist, Becky Fos: In partnership with Coca-Cola, Winn-Dixie will host four meet-and-greet events for customers to receive a free signed print from popular local artist Becky Fos in select Louisiana and Mississippi stores:
- Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Kenner Winn-Dixie, located at 2104 Williams Blvd., Kenner, LA 70062
- Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Mandeville Winn-Dixie, located at 4100 LA Highway 59, Mandeville, LA 70471
- Thursday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Gause Blvd. Winn-Dixie, located at 2985 Gause Blvd., Slidell, LA 70461
- Thursday, Feb. 1 from 4 to 6 p.m.at the Gulfport Winn-Dixie, located at 11312 U.S. Highway 49, Gulfport, MS 39503

On Feb. 13, Mardi Gras day, Winn-Dixie will join two krewes in Louisiana to celebrate with parade-goers. Neighbors are encouraged to look for the Winn-Dixie float at the Krewe of Bogue Falaya in Covington and the Krewe of Argus in Metairie. Riders will throw the grocer’s signature items including specialty beads and cups, SE Grocers snacks, Winn-Dixie swag items and coupons. Local stores will remain open during normal business hours on Fat Tuesday to serve customers as they partake in the merrymaking.

With nearly 100 years of experience serving southeastern communities, Winn-Dixie remains steadfast in its goal to provide customers with a localized experience focused on superior value and convenience. The grocer is committed to providing extensive selections of local favorites and everyday brands with winning prices to make every “making groceries” experience easy and convenient. For more information, customers are encouraged to visit www.winndixie.com.

Founded in 1925, Winn-Dixie grocery stores and liquor stores serve communities throughout five southeastern states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. is a subsidiary of Southeastern Grocers, an omnichannel retailer and one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S., serving customers in brick-and-mortar grocery stores and liquor stores as well as online with convenient grocery delivery and curbside pickup throughout the Southeast.

Southeastern Grocers Inc. parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is an omnichannel retailer and one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S., serving customers in brick-and-mortar grocery stores and liquor stores as well as online with convenient grocery delivery and curbside pickup throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and caring associates and a strong commitment to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com.

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Alcohol-Free, Hemp-Derived WYNK Expands Distribution

Published January 12, 2024

WYNK, a hemp-derived, THC and CBD infused seltzer, can be purchased online in over 30 states and is now available in a growing number of traditional adult beverage retailers in Chicagoland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and beyond. Wherehouse Beverage Co.’s, maker of WYNK, strategic expansion into brick-and-mortar stores aligns with the brand’s mission to pioneer a distinct category of alcohol-free, flavorful, precision-dosed cannabis beverages for the mainstream consumer.

Wherehouse Beverage Co’s commitment to product quality includes in-house and independent potency testing as part of its end-to-end production control in its manufacturing and distribution–emphasizing the company’s goal of creating a groundbreaking THC-infused beverage that consumers can trust.

“The WYNK team is focused on creating a new, safe and exciting adult-beverage category that aligns with shifting consumer trends,” said Phil McFarland, general manager, THC Beverages at WHBCo. “By working with age-gated retailers and utilizing precision dosing technology, we are ushering in a cultural turning point where regulations are thoughtfully crafted to provide a sensible framework for this category.”

As the “Cali sober” trend gains traction, WYNK presents a guilt-free alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages, creating a balanced, light and social buzz. With flavors including Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist and Juicy Mango, WYNK Seltzer offers a familiar-taste and refreshing experience for consumers. WYNK contains zero sugar and is made with a 1:1 ratio of naturally occurring, hemp-derived THC to CBD. There are two dosage options, 2.5mg and 5mg per can.

“This launch is personally exciting for me—I’ve seen a trend among consumers who are tired of the way alcohol makes them feel,” said Angus Rittenburg, WHBCo co-founder. “WYNK allows for more opportunities to get together socially and enjoy a clean buzz, without the sacrifice of giving up a drink, or experiencing a hangover.”

The expansion of WYNK into new markets allows consumers greater access to low-dose THC products in a format that flows with their social lives. The growing list of adult beverage retailers includes:

Connecticut: Ancona’s Wines and Liquors
Illinois: Garfield’s Beverage Warehouse and Binny’s Beverage Depot
Massachusetts: Luke’s Liquors
New Jersey: select ShopRites, Bourbon Street Wine & Spirits and Joe Canal’s Discount Liquor Outlet
In coming months, WYNK will be on shelves in Ohio.

Learn more about WYNK and retail locations: drinkwynk.com.

Available in 32 states, WYNK is the most widely distributed THC seltzer in the United States. The expertly crafted product was created to provide consumers with a light, balanced and social beverage that promotes wellness through social connection. WYNK has zero calories, zero sugar and is made with all-natural flavors and a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD.

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Southern Glazer’s VolunCheers Raise $82K for Charity

Published January 12, 2024

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has announced results from the company’s 2023 Employee Holiday Giving Campaign. The annual campaign, which ran from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, is part of Southern Glazer’s VolunCheers program, a grassroots employee volunteering and giving program that empowers team members to engage with charities in their local communities.

These efforts are managed through the company’s enterprise-wide internal digital portal, VolunCheers Online, where employees can connect with each other, organize, and promote volunteering and giving activities. In the spirit of the holidays, Southern Glazer’s pledged to donate $25 for every volunteer hour logged by employees throughout November and December on VolunCheers Online.

Employees exceeded last year’s holiday campaign results by logging 3,284.5 volunteer hours to support diverse causes and uplift their local communities, resulting in a total donation of $82,113 to support the campaign’s three benefiting charities. The beneficiaries of this year’s campaign are Feeding America, Giving Kitchen, and Food Banks Canada and each will receive a $27,371 donation to help further their meaningful work.

“Southern Glazer’s promotes volunteerism that cultivates both opportunity and a sense of belonging in the communities where we reside and operate,” said CEO Wayne E. Chaplin. “Our employees continuously explore ways to expand our impact through volunteering. The VolunCheers program at Southern Glazer’s not only streamlines the discovery and initiation of volunteer and fundraising activities, but also enables us to acknowledge our employees’ dedication to making a difference one action at a time.”

Month after month, Southern Glazer’s employees demonstrated their passion for giving through meaningful charitable work. The company is proud to close 2023 with nearly 14,233.75 employee volunteer hours logged and 203 employee-led volunteer events organized to benefit more than 127 charities.

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