MONEY

Wegmans tests new meals-to-go concept in Pittsford

Bennett J. Loudon
Staff writer

Wegmans Food Markets Inc. is test-marketing prepackaged meals to go at its Pittsford supermarket.

Since 2008, Wegmans customers could choose an entree and two sides and the meal would be packaged on the spot by employees in the deli section. The meals cost $6, $8, or $10, depending on the entrees selected.

But for now, Wegmans spokesperson Jo Natale said the "innovation store" in Pittsford, where the company often tries new programs, is only offering prepackaged meals.

"We've just completed week one, so we're in the very early stages of this," Natale said Monday.

The meals will continue to be packaged to order by employees at other Wegmans stores.

Natale said there is no specific time frame for the test at the Pittsford store.

The prepackaged meals include the most popular combinations of entrees and sides, she said. They also list calorie counts for each meal on the labels.

There are six different $6 meals, seven different $8 meals and three different versions of the $10 meals. Wegmans also is offering a new $12 meal for two people, with four variations.

"These are, without question, the most often requested combinations," Natale said.

But if you prefer, say, roasted red potatoes instead of whipped potatoes with your meat loaf, you're out of luck — unless you buy the items a la carte.

The prepackaged $12 meal was tested over the last year and rolled out to all stores last week.

"We'll listen and we may tweak these as the test continues, but for now these are certainly the most popular," she said.

Because the store is open 24 hours, the prepackaged meals are always available. At other stores, and previously at the Pittsford location, customers could only get the meals until 9 p.m., when that area of the store closed for the night.

"In addition to fresh, great-tasting food, customers increasingly want convenience," Natale said.

Based on customer feedback from customers and sales records, Wegmans will determine whether to go forward with the idea.

"We will make changes if necessary. Before we can say this is a great idea we will continue to just test it at the Pittsford store. Sales will certainly indicate to us how much our customers like this," Natale said.

BLOUDON@DemocratandChronicle.com

Twitter.com/BennettLoudon