Texas-sized tortilla love: Texans’ love for H-E-B’s bakery butter flour tortillas took center stage during Super Bowl LX, as the San Antonio-based grocer aired a heartwarming 60-second commercial celebrating the cult-favorite food item. Broadcast between the third and fourth quarters in key Texas markets, the ad followed a determined toddler yearning for their first taste of the iconic tortilla. Despite being fed baby food, the toddler’s sights were set on the buttery goodness—and their wish was finally granted. H-E-B’s tortillas are more than just a grocery staple; they’re a Texas obsession. Fans have gone as far as stuffing 200 tortillas into carry-on luggage, and last summer, H-E-B handed out 5,000 tortillas to travelers at San Antonio’s airport. “There is something special about the bond between H-E-B and Texans,” said Ashwin Nathan, H-E-B’s VP of marketing. No matter the age … —Abbey Lewis
He’s a very Special (Olympics) cashier: Michael Masterangelo, a cashier at a Publix supermarket in Acworth, Ga., recently raised more than $31,000 for the Special Olympics in less than a week by soliciting donations from his throngs of loyal customers. The 10-year Publix veteran, who has an intellectual disability, regularly attracts long lines at his checkout register from shoppers who appreciate his friendliness and dedication and will wait in line for 30 minutes or more to visit with him, according to a local report on 11Alive.com. “His positivity that he comes in every day with, it makes working and shopping here enjoyable,” said Courtney McGuinness, store manager. “He’s always smiling. He’s always interacting.” A lesson for us all. — Mark Hamstra
Peeling through science: OK, so we have been going bananas over bananas on this page lately. Sorry, I could not resist. Last week we ran a 5 Things item about Instacart’s Super Bowl commercial, which was all about bananas, and customers choosing the ripeness of the pull-and-peel fruit. This time around, we have some serious science to talk about. Chiquita, which has one of the best logos in the fruit world, announced an advancement in banana innovation with the completion of the Yelloway banana pan-genome, a scientific breakthrough designed to accelerate the development of disease-resistant and climate-resistant banana varieties. This pan-genome provides a comprehensive view of banana genetic diversity. By capturing the full range of naturally occurring variation, the pan-genome enables more precise research, supports biodiversity preservation and strengthens long-term breeding efforts aimed at protecting the future of bananas. Think of it as creating the super banana. Just keep those super peels away from Mario, that guy likes to throw them in front of cars on the roadway. If you know you know. —Bill Wilson
IKEA’s mega-dog: In my mind, there’s one undisputed champion of a grocery store food court hot dog, and that’s Costco. The big-box giant has been famous for its legendary $1.50 hot dog combo, which, along with its rotisserie chicken, is its biggest loss leader. Well, Swedish retailer IKEA might just give Costco a run for its money, as it’s now selling a 20-inch hot dog at its locations in the United Arab Emirates, for around the equivalent of $5. The dog itself is outrageously long, hanging off the bun by inches on each side. While it’s not here yet, American consumers shouldn’t give up hoping, as we’ve seen international LTOs move to the American market after seeing success overseas. The people deserve giant hot dogs! —Ally MacConchie
Spread the love: Nutella might have met its match as U.K.-based grocery-branded hazelnut spreads are stealing the spotlight across the pond. In a blind taste test, consumer watchdog Which? asked 60 people to taste and rate eight supermarket own-label hazelnut chocolate spreads including chains Lidl, Tesco, M&S, Waitrose, Aldi and Morrisons, as well as Nutella. Waitrose’s spread scored an impressive 82% approval, edging out Nutella and costing 24% less for the same size. Tesco’s version tied the tasters approval of Nutella at 81% but comes in at a wallet-friendly £1.65, approximately $2.06 USD. Testers praised the supermarket spreads for their smooth texture, while Nutella was deemed more thick, or as the British say, “stodgy.” With rich flavor and unbeatable prices, these budget-friendly alternatives are proving you don’t need to splurge for a sweet treat. So, spread the love—and save some cash. —Abbey Lewis