Imagine you are walking through Italy, wandering ancient streets and seeing post-card worthy moments. You pass a nearby cafe and get a whiff of their fresh assortment of food. One item in particular catches your eye, an Italian staple, a delectable Margherita pizza. You ask the manager, “What’s in that?” He smiles and tells you about the hand-tossed dough from Rome and pesto derived straight from the Liguria region of Northern Italy. Your mouth starts to water as he lists the ingredients. Well, what if we told you that you’re not actually in Italy, but in your own community? That nearby cafe that caught your attention is really your local Sam’s Club, and that assortment of food? It’s part of the launch of our new artisanal collection, the latest innovation from our Member’s Mark brand. The manager you talked to? One of our valued associates, proudly walking you through the thoughtfully sourced ingredients behind our new Member's Mark Artisan Margherita Pizza.
Turns out, you don’t need a passport to experience Rome, just a Sam’s Club membership.
Crafted with care: The story behind Member’s Mark Artisan Margherita Pizza
Launching across our clubs now is the Member’s Mark 12” Artisan Margherita Pizza, a premium and convenient meal solution for members. This special pizza pie takes you on a journey to Italy, where the artisan crust is hand-stretched to perfection. That journey was one where Glenn Lewis, senior manager of product development and sourcing, and Anthony Sumlin, senior director of merchandising, Prepared Foods, went together to help create the best pizza for our members. Both Glenn and Anthony worked in the pizza industry before, so this played to their expertise, and was a passion for them.
“Walking around Rome is like walking through the most beautiful museum imaginable,” said Glenn. “The food, like most cities in Europe, was uncomplicated, fresh and delicious. If we could have magically grown a second stomach, I think we would have stopped and eaten in every pizzeria and restaurant we came across.”
The duo spent five days in Rome, where they tasted 26 different pizza styles and flavors. They found amazing food, art and history around every corner. Their favorite stops: Pizzeria Florida and Bonci Pizzarium. Their goal? To turn a world-class food journey into something our members could taste at home.
There is nothing out there quite like the Member’s Mark Artisan Margherita Pizza, and our unique approach is what makes it so special. Our associates prepare it freshly every day in-club with meticulous care, taking inspiration from Italian-style Margherita pizza.
Take the journey with us.
The making of a Margherita
It all starts with a delicious artisan crust made from scratch in Rome, capturing its traditional flavor. It’s a blend of high-quality Italian flours beginning with a sourdough starter. It is then hand-stretched and partially baked on stone, then shipped to our clubs fresh from Italy.
When we receive the crust, our associates cover it in its signature sauce, also made from scratch. The sauce has six simple ingredients: tomato, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, giving it a rich and savory layer. Next comes the fire roasted cherry tomatoes, which come from Türkiye. They are oven-roasted and then marinated in oil, oregano, garlic and salt.
No pizza is complete without cheese. We have a tasty combination of shredded and fresh mozzarella. The cheese is all-natural and made in Wisconsin. Finally, there is a touch of our Member’s Mark Italian Basil Pesto that adds a distinct and memorable flavor. Our Pesto incorporates basil from the Liguria region of Northern Italy, which is 100% DOP certified, a label that guarantees authenticity and quality of Italian food products.
This launch is more than just a new product, it’s another step forward in our ongoing commitment to ingredient transparency and culinary integrity. Every element of the Member’s Mark Artisan Margherita Pizza, from the flour in the crust to the DOP-certified basil in the pesto, reflects our dedication to sourcing thoughtfully and communicating openly with our members. We believe that knowing where your food comes from, and how it’s made, should be part of the experience, and this pizza is a proud example of that promise in action.
With summer officially here, there’s no better time to make dinner both convenient and high-quality, thanks to the care and attention Glenn and Anthony poured into every detail. Our new artisan pizza is the perfect centerpiece for outdoor barbecues, patio dinners and spontaneous get-togethers. Just pop it into our Member’s Mark 16” Rotating Gas Pizza Oven, pour a glass of Member’s Mark Sparkling Wine and you’ve got an effortless, crowd-pleasing meal.
It may feel like Rome, but that’s the magic of Sam’s Club — served fresh. And stay tuned… another pizza style may be on its way soon. Ciao!
