This post is brought to you by Meijer and True Goodness by Meijer. All opinions are that of All She Cooks.

True Goodness by Meijer

Last week I was lucky enough to attend a blogger event in Grand Rapids, Michigan sponsored by Meijer.  They brought us in to GRid70, their amazing cooperative building that they share with some other fab Grand Rapids businesses, to introduce us to their growing True Goodness by Meijer line of products.

And by introduce us to, I mean: encouraged us to sample food all day long.  Now, since I'm a food-lover, I didn't complain one little bit.  In fact, I was taken aback by how truly tasty True Goodness Kale & Spinach Multi-Grain Chips were. So good.

I was equally impressed with how interactive the event was.  While we were able to listen to some really eye-opening and intriguing factoids about the Meijer brands, we were also able to get hands-on, don an apron and handle power tools...er, beat cookie dough.  Which is always fun.

Meijer True Goodness

Meijer True Goodness combines Meijer Naturals and Meijer Organic product lines into one new label: True Goodness by Meijer and True Goodness by Meijer Organic.

With more and more consumers gravitating toward the real food market, it was a natural progression for Meijer to make these products more readily available for the consumers who shop in their stores.  It's a brand you can count on, with strict requirements of what True Goodness by Meijer product brands will not contain:

• No high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners.
• No hydrogenated oils.
• No artificial food colorings.
• No artificial food flavorings.
• No artificial preservatives.
• No antibiotics or steroids in the raising of our meats and seafood.

Real food. Real Products. All at real prices that real families can afford.  That's True Goodness by Meijer.

What a product line to get behind, right?

Did I mention real tasty?  I think I did, but oh my goodness--every product I tasted and every recipe I tested that Meijer dietitians developed were all SO good. As in, I really had to pace myself because my stomach isn't that big...and I was being offered food all day. And listen, I'm a girl who doesn't want to say no to delicious food.

I was equally impressed with the decor--all Meijer products that will be in stores for the holidays, if they aren't already there.  I mean, check out the cute plates (above) and the adorbs entertaining dish (below).  Seriously, folks!

Since I don't live in Meijer land (right now), I took a little road trip to Rockford, IL to explore the store there.  (However, word is there are plans to build more stores in Wisconsin.) Let me just say, my son and I were both impressed. I grew up in Walmart land, and have shopped at Target quite a bit over the years.  Meijer, on the other hand, was all new to me.  And it won the super-center contest hands down and thumbs up.

Wide aisles, awesome home and kitchen products, a grocery section that is actually a grocery store and not some groceries haphazardly added to a department store.  Yes--Meijer wins the super-center contest in my eyes.

Be sure to stay on top of the Meijer weekly sale ads because you're sure to see a lot of great deals coming your way with the holidays coming up.  I'm thinking Meijer party trays like the one above will be on my list for sure.

#TrueGoodnessHoliday Food Sampling

Like I said before, we got to sample a LOT of food.  And, that was a good thing.

This Mini Berry Pound Cake was a GREAT thing.  I was kind of sad that I only had a little piece to sample--but I didn't want to look greedy by going back for a second.  No big deal, because they gave us the recipe! And at only 57 calories per serving, I might just have a couple when I make it at home.

Some of the other recipes we got to try were Chocolate Dipped Figs and Apricots (pictured above on the entertaining dish), Cranberry Apple Walnut Cookies; Ham, Broccoli, and Cheese Casserole; Apple Cinnamon Bread; Cranberry Salsa; Tomato, Basil and Feta Baguette Crisps (Oh My Yum!); and so many other goodies.

Like Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream.  I'm not even kidding. It was pretty much like taking a bite of Thanksgiving morning. Um...because that's my typical breakfast on Thanksgiving.  Pie.

I know.

Playing in the Meijer Test Kitchen

One of my favorite parts of the day was getting to bake in the Meijer Test Kitchen with some products from the line of True Goodness by Meijer products.  I love the green and purple labels! And don't you love how easy it is to see the word 'organic'? No need to pull out those reading glasses.

I even got to try out a hand mixer, which I never use.  It was actually pretty fun.  I'm not sure if I'm ready to turn over my Kitchen-aid, but I could definitely see myself using one of these mixers for a light baking day.  It would certainly be faster!

The other highlight of the event was our conversation with Hank Meijer.  Hank is the Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of Meijer.  In fact, it was his grandfather that started the business that has now grown into 222 supercenters and grocery stores in 6 states.

After participating in a round-table discussion with other bloggers and Hank, it is easy to see that Meijer's hands-on approach is receptive to connecting with Millenial moms in their desire for more organic and real food options.

The True Goodness by Meijer brand is slated to offer 325 total products by early 2016.  With a desire to offer more real food products at real prices that Meijer shoppers can afford, Meijer is committed to consumers.

Natural or organic food that tastes great--that's every product that I taste-tested of the True Goodness product line.

And their gorgeous entertaining dishes... just load up my Meijer Christmas stockings, please.