Ms. Maria Charvat reports

IT'S THE GIFT OF TIME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH PRESIDENT'S CHOICE PRODUCTS, INCLUDING EASY AND DELICIOUS STARTERS, DESSERTS AND MORE!

Loblaw Companies Ltd. has released an update. The holidays can be the most wonderful time of year, but can also be one of the busiest. To help save time this season, beginning Nov. 2, Loblaw banner stores across the country will offer everything from creative gift ideas, to simple meal and entertaining solutions, all under one roof.

The newest and some of the most delectable foods can be found in the pages of the highly anticipated Presidents Choice Holiday Insider's Report, available at select Loblaw banner stores. With so many gifts to purchase for the holidays, Canadians can feel both comfort and joy, knowing they can rely on President's Choice products to help them serve delicious, quality fare at great prices to their guests this holiday season.

"One of our holiday goals is to give our customers the gift of time -- time saved in the kitchen to allow for extra time to create more lasting memories with family," comments Maria Charvat, vice-president of product development, Loblaw Companies. "We're introducing more than 80 New! and Must Try! products this holiday season to help make entertaining easy and affordable. We've focused on every little detail from the perfect hors d'oeuvres to beautiful no-wrap-required gifts."

The celebration starts here! Make a tasty first impression and save time with starters that impress your guests:

• New! PC crispy lollipop shrimp -- two whole shrimp can be found in each of these easy-to-eat, crowd-pleasing appetizers;
• New! Must Try! PC blue cheese -- crumbly yet creamy and made with 100 per cent Canadian milk.

Holiday dinners without the kitchen duty -- turn your main course into the main event:

• PC easy-carve rosemary and garlic semi-boneless leg of lamb and PC easy-carve turkey with cranberry stuffing and gravy -- it does not get any easier than these classic entrees that just scream festive feast! Must Try!
• PC dine-in tonight lasagna -- slide it into the oven and serve any one of three gourmet varieties.

Desserts with decadence -- there is always room for dessert:

• New Must Try! PC the decadent molten chocolate chip cookie -- featured on the cover of this year's Holiday Insider's Report;
• New! PC the decadent chocolate truffle cake -- featuring all your favourite food groups -- cake, mousse and chocolate!

Cozy up with coffee -- smooth and full-bodied? Bold and intense? Light and lively? Medium and balanced? What's your favourite cuppa joe?

• Must Try! PC winter blend dark roast coffee -- an exclusive blend, here for the holidays.
• Must Try! PC candy cane-flavoured ground coffee. Perk up your mornings with this holiday staple in a warm and cozy form.

Grab-and-go gifts with no wrap required -- the perfect hostess or teacher gift all wrapped up:

• New! PC milk chocolate covered butter toffee with roasted almonds -- packed in a pretty retro-design collector tin, taking toffee to a whole new level;
• New! PC caramel almond chews -- a full pound of ooey gooey richness in a fun gift-ready tin.

Visit the President's Choice website to see the newest recipes featuring President's Choice brand ingredients as well as step-by-step videos on how to create simple delicious recipes. While shopping at a local Loblaw banner store pick up your copy of the President's Choice Holiday Insider's Report available Nov. 2. It is packed with food, recipe ideas and is sure to get you inspired for the season ahead. Visit the President's Choice website to find a digital version of the Insider's Report.

This fall Loblaw unveiled its new President's Choice black label line of products -- a collection of exceptional fine foods sourced from around the world. The President's Choice black label line comprises more than 200 unique items, including baking ingredients, confectionary items, spreads and dressings, marinades, pastas, sauces, baked goods, oils and vinegars, aromatic spice blends and more. The products can be found at 140 select Loblaw banner grocery stores, with prices starting from $1.99.

Make sure you are on the nice list

You still have time to make the nice list by participating in Loblaw's Extra Helping Holiday National Food Drive which supports local food banks through in-store donations of non-perishable food items and cash donations. In Quebec from Nov. 21 to Dec. 24, and the rest of Canada from Nov. 24 to Dec. 15, customers can donate non-perishable food items or cash to a local Loblaw store or participating franchise stores. Check store for details. Loblaw has a history of involvement in the communities the company serves and in addition to the support the company provides food banks, it is involved with charitable organizations throughout the year.