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Buehler’s Fresh Foods Harvest for Hunger Campaign – thank you to customers and employees

“Buehler’s Fresh Foods would like to thank all of our customers and team members who went above and beyond this year in raising money for our community food banks during the Harvest for Hunger campaign.  I’m proud to say that each one of our stores exceeded their goals and raised the most donations ever, since we started the campaign 14 years ago.  We thank the Akron Canton Foodbank and their outstanding team who work hard to battle food insecurity every day.”  Paul Stefaniuk, Vice President of Operations at Buehler’s Fresh Foods.

Buehler’s Fresh Foods raised $172,488, which translates into 689,952 meals, through our register campaign, fun employee contests, and food bins. Everyone involved in this campaign recognizes the continued struggle for folks to put food on their tables due to the pandemic and how clearly vital the foodbank is to a multitude of families.

The entire Buehler’s team passionately worked together to make this campaign a success for the Foodbanks and all who benefit from their mission. 

“Buehler’s Fresh Foods is a one-of-a-kind partner in the regional fight against hunger.  Their deep local roots and employee owners bring a sense of community and pride to their outstanding work and generous philanthropy” said Dan Flowers, President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “Throughout the pandemic, they have been courageous innovators in service that chains across the industry have modeled.  At the same time, Buehler’s staff and shoppers have raised an incredible amount of money in support of hunger-relief efforts.  When the story of this era in our history is written, the courage, ingenuity and deep sense of community exhibited by this exemplary partner in the fight against hunger will always be in the headlines to us at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.  Our deepest respect and thanks to everyone involved in the Harvest for Hunger Campaign at Buehler’s Fresh Foods. “

When asked about how this campaign was different from previous years, Lisa Teuscher, a Service & Facilities Manager, commented, “I believe many people are truly grateful for not having to stress about food; especially given the amount of media coverage that has been given to those struggling due to the ongoing pandemic.  This gratitude may have contributed to many people wanting to help others”.

“Our customers were happy to be helping take a bite out of hunger for those affected by the pandemic!”, said Service & Facilities Manager, JoAnne Vrtacnik.

Laurie Adrian, a Buehler’s manager, stated, “I believe people are feeling better about getting out as well as peoples’ generous spirit during Covid and helping those in need.”

A few facts about the Foodbank:

  • The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank distributes food and other essential items through its network of more than 500 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters, children and senior programs and other hunger-relief programs in Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties.
  • The Foodbank’s eight-county region has seen an increase in the number of people facing food insecurity because of COVID-19. Food insecurity affects 1 in 6 individuals and 1 in 4 children.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant increase in the number of people seeking emergency food assistance. 30 percent of families visiting a pantry within the Foodbank’s network were visiting for the very first time, meaning they’ve never needed to seek help before.
  • Distributed the equivalent of 27.4 million meals to the local community in 2020
  • Delivered more than 1,000 food orders directly to hunger-relief programs with the help of the Ohio National Guard, saving them valuable time and resources.
  • Made more than 12,000 deliveries directly to home-bound families and seniors in need through a cutting-edge partnership with DoorDash, United Way of Summit & Medina and CARE, the Cooperative Assistance & Relief Everywhere, Inc.

Buehler’s Fresh Foods has proudly supported the Akron-Canton Foodbank as a Harvest for Hunger participant for the past fourteen years. We want to do our part to end hunger in each of the communities we serve.

Our partnership with the Akron-Canton Foodbank aligns with our corporate values and goals, hence our continued relationship. We are an organization committed to putting people first and this campaign is all about taking care of people in need in our communities.

About Buehler’s Fresh Foods

Buehler’s Fresh Foods grocery store was founded in 1929 by E.L. Buehler and his wife, Helen. The family moved the business in 1932 to Wooster, and, after four generations, grew to 13 stores serving the northeast Ohio market. In 2017, Buehler’s became an ESOP (employee stock ownership program) with the belief that selling to their own employees was the best way to assure the continuation of the innovative and creative spirit which made the chain a benchmark for independent grocers. 

Buehler’s Fresh Foods operates thirteen Buehler’s Fresh Foods supermarkets located in Wooster (2), Orrville, Wadsworth, Medina (2), Ashland, New Philadelphia, Dover, Jackson Township (Canton), Coshocton, Portage Lakes (Green) and Massillon, Ohio.

Buehler’s Fresh Foods is committed to environmentally responsible behavior, local sourcing of product and supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information visit www.buehlers.com.

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Food Choice + Planet Health

The Connection between Food Choices and Planet Health

April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day around the world. It’s planned as a day to raise awareness of how all the decisions we make impact the health of our planet as well as things we can do in our daily lives to fight for a clean environment.

Did you know that one of the top four things that impacts planet health are the food choices we make? Food choices, from shopping to preparing to eating to storing, can impact greenhouse gases produced and what ends up in landfills.

Consider the following tips for celebrating Earth Day and planet health on any day of the year!

  • Buy fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables. Fresh produce is one of the most common foods that gets wasted. When grocery shopping at your favorite Buehler’s, buy enough fresh produce for the next 2-3 days as well as produce items that last longer such as carrots and potatoes. Buy canned fruits and vegetables for use in soups, stews, stir fries, oatmeal bakes and yogurt parfaits later in the week. Choose frozen options, which are easily portioned out for smoothies or quick additions to lunch salads.
  • Enjoy plant-forward meals more often. Plant-forward eating habits celebrate plants and emphasize them in meals and snacks. It doesn’t mean giving up meat, poultry and fish, just shifting the balance to enjoy more plant-based foods. Think about adding beautiful fruits and vegetables, hearty beans and whole grains, and crunchy nuts to daily eating habits. Try our make once, eat twice recipes for Plant-Powered Black Bean and Beef Blend, Mexican Lasagna, and Tuesday Tacos.  
  • Use Buehler’s Healthy Living Vegan tags. Plant foods have a lower carbon footprint, and our Vegan Healthy Living tags throughout the store help you easily find these choices and add them to your shopping cart.
  • Use the entire food item. Did you know that broccoli stalks, when peeled and sliced, make a great snack? Or that you can save carrots tops and ends, onion peels, and other trimmings from vegetables to make a great stock for use in soups and other recipes?
  • Minimize food waste. Set aside one night each week for “Leftover Dinners.” Use leftover meat and veggies to make quesadillas. Cook down fruits which are looking sad as a sauce to have on pancakes, waffles, chicken or pork. If bread has gone stale, drizzle it with olive oil, smear with a cut tomato, and warm in the oven.

Do you have a favorite tip managing food waste? Share it with us on our Facebook page.

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Plant-Forward Cook-Along

Consuming more plant-based foods is good for people and the planet!

If you’re wondering how to add more nutritious plant foods to your meals join Buehler’s Registered Dietitians for a virtual cook-along and learn how to make a delicious, Plant-Powered Black Bean and Beef Blend along with 2 simple recipes – Mexican Lasagna and Stuffed Burrito Peppers.

Below you will find the recipes and a shopping list of ingredients you will need to participate. Buehler’s will also be selling this “bundle” of ingredients at our stores April 11 – 17.

The Plant-Powered Cook-Along IS posted on our YouTube channel. Click the link below to access the video!

CLICK HERE TO FOR THE COOK A-LONG ON YOUTUBE!

 

Here’s what you’ll need for the Cook Along!

Ingredient Shopping List:

Food Ingredients:
 1 medium yellow onion
 Fresh cilantro
 2 large red bell peppers
 8 oz. crimini mushrooms
 Avocado
 Lime
 1 pound lean ground beef
 2 cans (15 oz.) BUSH’S® Black Beans, drained
 1 can (15 oz.) crushed tomatoes
 1 can (11oz.) yellow kernel corn, drained
 16 yellow corn tortillas
 1 package (1 oz.) taco seasoning mix, 25% less sodium
 Light sour cream
 2 cups shredded low-fat Mexican cheese blend
 1 cup shredded low-fat Mozzarella cheese
 Instant brown rice

Pantry Staples:
 Olive oil
 Cooking spray

 

CLICK HERE TO ADD INGREDIENTS TO ONLINE SHOPPING CART

Here are the Recipes!

Plant-Powered Black Bean and Beef Blend

Make Once – Eat Twice! Blend yields approximately 8 cups which can be used in our Mexican Lasagna and Burrito Stuffed Peppers recipes below.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 8 oz. crimini mushrooms
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 TBSP olive oil
  • 2 cans (15 oz.) BUSH’S® Black Beans, drained
  • 1 package (1 oz.) taco seasoning mix, 25% less sodium
  • 1 can (15 oz.) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (11oz.) yellow kernel corn, drained

Directions:

  1.  Pulse onion and mushrooms in food processor until coarse texture. Set aside.
  2.  In large frying pan, brown ground beef. Drain fat. Set ground beef aside in separate bowl.
  3.  In same frying pan, heat oil. Add onions and mushrooms from food processor and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until most of the moisture has been released. Add the black beans and mix.
  4.  Add the cooked ground beef, taco seasoning, crushed tomatoes and corn to the black bean and mushroom blend. Mix and cook until heated through.
  5.  Set aside 2 cups for Burrito Stuffed Peppers and 6 cups for Mexican Lasagna.

Nutrition information (per ½ cup serving): 113 calories, 4.5 g fat, 11 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 9 g protein, 218 mg sodium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexican Lasagna

Makes 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

  • Approx. 6 cups Plant-Powered Black Bean and Beef Blend
  • 16 yellow corn tortillas
  • 1 -2 cups shredded low-fat Mexican cheese blend

Directions:

  1.  Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2.  Spray bottom of an 9X13 baking dish with vegetable cooking spray. Place 4 corn tortillas on bottom of baking dish and layer approx. 2 cups Plant-Powered Black Bean and Beef Blend on top; Repeat layers ending with tortillas as top layer. Top with cheese.
  3.  Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until cheese melts and casserole is heated through.
  4.  Top with light sour cream or diced avocado if desired.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burrito Stuffed Peppers

Makes 4 pepper halves

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Plant-powered Black Bean and Beef Blend
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice
  • 2 large red bell peppers
  • 1 cup shredded low-fat Mozzarella cheese

Directions:

  1.  Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix together cooked rice and prepared Plant-Powered Black Bean and Chicken Blend.
  2.  Cut peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Place cut side up in a 9 x 13 baking dish.
  3.  Spoon blend mixture into each pepper half (approximately ½ cup in each). Sprinkle each pepper with 2 tablespoons shredded cheese.
  4.  Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until peppers are softened.

Add additional toppings as desired: Salsa, Cilantro Sour Cream (recipe below), Diced Avocado.

Cilantro Sour Cream Recipe Mix 1 cup low fat sour cream, 6 Tbsps. fresh chopped cilantro and 2 Tbsps. lime juice in small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

 

 

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Buehler’s Plant-Powered Earth Day Cook Along

Sign up to participate in our Plant-Powered Earth Day Cook-Along!

We’ll be posting the Cook-Along on YouTube April 19-April 25. Our Dietians Shari and Annette will show how to create Plant-Powered Black Beans and Beef along with two recipes using this blend.

We’ll email you an ingredient shopping list and link to the video when it is live!

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5 Ways to Protect the Planet

5 Things You Need to Know about Protecting the Planet

For many of us, how our daily decisions impact planet health is just as important as how they impact our personal health. Choices we make, such as carpooling, using recyclable grocery bags, or choosing LED light bulbs, all have impact on the planet. With Earth Day celebrated worldwide later this month, it’s the perfect time to consider how our daily decisions impact planet health and what we can each do to make a difference.

#1: Carbon Footprint measures impact on the planet.

You’ve likely heard the term carbon footprint, which is a measure of the greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our daily actions. Carbon footprint can be measured on an individual, a household, a company, or a food product as it is grown on the farm and travels to your table. High greenhouse gases contribute to global warming.

#2: Certain actions increase carbon footprint.

The four biggest ways to decrease carbon footprint and to fight for a clean environment are to lower the number of people on the planet, use cars less, travel less by airplanes, and eat more plant-based foods.

#3: Small changes over time add up to big results.

Decisions we make every day, when done consistently, can add up to big impact on planet health over time. For example, with spring in the air, consider line drying clothes outside or starting a compost bin in your back yard. For more inspiration, consider our 30 Ways to Take Care of the Earth.

#4: Earth Day is celebrated on April 22.

Started as an environmental movement more than 50 years ago, citizens around the world take action on Earth Day to raise awareness of planet health. Click here to learn more about local activities that may be happening in your area in celebration of Earth Day.

#5: Buehler’s cares.

As a part of our commitment to planet health, we are featuring displays of plant-powered foods in our stores during April. The plastic bags used in our stores are made from recycled materials. And don’t forget about our plastic bag recycling bins, available at the front of every store.

Working together, Buehler’s and our valued shoppers, we can make strides in protecting the planet, environment, and natural resources.

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