Stop & Shop Heads Down ‘Local Route’ Again

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. LLC has relaunched its “Local Route” program in all of its stores to point customers toward fresh, locally grown produce. Each week, the Ahold USA grocery chain’s produce departments will spotlight local farms and feature fresh items.

Stop & Shop participates in the “Jersey Fresh,” “Connecticut Grown,” “Grown on Long Island” and “Harvest New England” programs, which promote locally grown produce in its market area.

“This summer, add fruit and vegetables to every meal for a burst of color, texture and nutrition,” said Julie Menounos, in-store nutritionist for Stop & Shop New England division, in Quincy, Mass. “Mix colorful bell peppers into an egg-white scramble, add tomato wedges to a turkey sandwich, slice cucumber or frozen grapes for a refreshing snack, and garnish grilled fish with peach salsa. You should aim to make half your plate fruit and vegetables, since they keep you feeling fuller longer for fewer calories.”

Besides preparation hints and nutritional advice, the banner also offers tips on selecting and maximizing the freshness of such in-season produce items as green beans, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.

Stop & Shop employs about 63,000 associates and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey.