By Carisa Biesecker

Searching for the answer to the never ending question, "What's for dinner?" The Publix at FishHawk Ranch will soon be able to help when it opens the new Apron's Make-Ahead Meals store near its Lithia location.

By this time next year, Publix will open a stand-alone unit that will feature its signature Apron's program new make-ahead meals. Residents will have the opportunity to schedule a meal-assembly session online or call ahead and receive a meal to take home.

"It's a service attribute. We see it as an extension to our company, which is service-based, to provide yet another service to our customer base to make their lives easier. People are into cooking but are also very time-pressed," states Dwaine Stevens, media and community relations manager. "It is another way to help families sit down to enjoy a meal together."

According to Stevens, the Publix at FishHawk Ranch will be testing out the service on its customers. The only other store facilitating such a benefit to customers is a Publix located in Jacksonville which includes a cooking school on its premises. If it is successful, it will be adopted in other areas.

Apron's meals are made with fresh ingredients that are ready to be cooked for dinner or frozen for meals throughout the week. Although the pricing structure and recipes are currently being worked out, customers can rest assured that these meals will follow the recipe ideas already presented through the Apron program in all area Publix stores. In addition to its recipes, the Apron program also showcases Simple Meals and cooking schools.