Wegmans Powers Up Prepared Meal Line

New offerings meet healthy nutritional goals

January 26, 2017, 02:25 pm

Wegmans' Kung Pao Chicken Power Meal

Wegmans Food Markets has introduced a line of refrigerated Power Meals, priced from $8 to $15, depending on ingredients, and suitable for lunch or dinner. In developing the new heat-and-eat line, Wegmans’ meal development team consulted the company’s nutritionists to set the parameters that each offering needed to meet.

“We’ve learned a lot in recent years about how nutrients like protein and fiber can help people feel satisfied longer, so they’re less tempted to make choices which don’t align with their health goals,” said Wegmans Nutritionist Kirby Branciforte, RDN. “We also know what many people struggle with in terms of putting together well-balanced meals. So we created the guidelines for Power Meals for the chefs to follow in order to make it easier for folks.”

Each Power Meal offers 600 calories or fewer, 25 grams or more of protein, at least 5 grams of fiber, less than 1,000 milligrams of sodium, under 10 grams of added sugar, and at least one cup of vegetables.

The first eight Power Meals developed, now on sale in the Market Café areas of select stores, are Kung Pao Chicken (500 calories), Kung Pao Shrimp (440 calories), King Salmon Tataki (450 calories), Tuna Tataki (330 calories), Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin (390 calories), Black Pepper Salmon (430 calories), Tuna Poke (400 calories), and Ceviche (330 calories). Some stores are carrying a selection of the meals, rather than all of them, according to Wegmans.

The meal line is already proving popular with Wegmans shoppers, the grocer observed.

“We did a pilot launch of Power Meals a few of months ago at our Pittsford, N.Y., store, and it’s been incredibly successful,” noted Executive Chef John Emerson. “We listened to our customers, and they wanted easy meal solutions that pack a nutritional punch without compromising on flavor. Power Meals check all of those boxes at a competitive price point.”

“We know our customers want meals that deliver on both flavor and health” added Branciforte. “We try to offer many different tools to make it easier for families to eat balanced meals in portions that can keep everyone feeling their best.”

Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans Food Markets operates 92 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts.