Wegmans has decided to lock in prices on certain foods during the winter in order to help their customers in these hard economic times.

“Our seasonal list has been our way of helping families find value and plan meals on a budget," President Colleen Wegman said. "Employees and customers stop me in our stores to say how helpful it’s been. They especially like that the list is not random, but is made up of products they need to buy every week.”

This winter Wegmans has instituted a price freeze on over 50 products that families tend to buy the most during the winter months. The winter price freeze will last until April 6, 2013.

According to a press release issued by Wegmans, even if the prices of these products increases, Wegmans will not increase the retail price during this time period.

“We keep our prices consistently low every day on the items families buy most," Wegman said. "We believe that our customers should not be forced to buy what’s on ‘sale’ this week. Instead, they should be able to buy what they want, when they want it.”

Meat, seafood, produce, dairy, deli, bakery, grocery and frozen food products all make up the comprised list; the seasonality of the list is reflected in the produce. This year, citrus items such as Clementine tangerines and navel and Mineola oranges have been added to the list this year. Due to a successful peanut crop last year, the cost of Wegmans peanut butter has dropped from $1.99 to $1.69.

Other items on the list include:

• Boneless Chicken Breast, Club Pack - $1.99/ lb.
• 80% Lean Ground Beef , Club Pack - $2.19/ lb.
• Pork Tenderloin, Club Pack - $2.79/ lb.
• Navel Oranges, 8 lb. Club Pack - $4.99
• Red Grapes - $1.99/ lb.
• Clementine Tangerines 2 lb. bag - $2.99
• Bananas - $0.49/ lb.
• White Potatoes 5 lb. bag - $1.99
• Spaghetti Pasta 16 oz. box - $0.89

For a full list of the products under the price freeze, click here.

Since Wegmans can be the most aggressive in pricing their own brands, the list is almost exclusively made up of Wegmans products. However, Clif Bars are also on the list where a 12-pack is selling for $9.99.

In addition to the price freeze, Wegmans has extended free prescriptions for Atorvastatin (up to a 90-day supply) through the end of the year. This deal began on Aug. 26 and was originally scheduled to expire on April 27.

Wegmans also announced that they have extended, through the end of 2013, free prescriptions (up to a 90-day supply) for Atorvastatin.  The program went into effect on August 26, and was originally planned to end on April 27,  2013.

“We check our competitors’ prices every week to be sure our prices offer the best value," Wegman said. "We match or beat club store prices, and that’s without charging a membership fee. Pricing gimmicks don’t appeal to our customers. They expect incredible service and unmatched quality from us, but they also want and need us to provide the best value, and we don’t like to disappoint our customers.”

The Wegmans in Manalapan is located within the Epicentre Shopping Plaza at 55 Route 9 South.