Tops Friendly Markets successfully completed the transition of five stores it acquired from Supermarket Management Inc., a longstanding franchise partner. These stores, now operating under the Tops Friendly Markets LLC banner, include four full-service Tops locations along with a Tops Xpress store.

The new Tops stores will keep their existing management teams, continue to employ all 585 associates across the five locations and maintain all their current in-store operations, including pharmacy services.

“We are thrilled to officially embark on this next chapter of our journey,” said Tops

SECAUCUS, NJ — Allegiance Retail Services LLC's 2024 Holiday Food & Retail Tech Showcase was held Thursday, June 20 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center, here. Fresh produce was well represented at the show, which featured vendors from across the country showcasing a wide variety of items.

Allegiance, a retailer owned co-op headquartered in Iselin, NJ, supports independent supermarkets' retail success by providing marketing, advertising, technological and merchandising support, as well as a full line of private label products. The company serves independent supermarket banners in New Jersey

Walmart's new partnership with Agritask aims to enable sourcing managers to make more well-informed decisions on seasonal fruit crop yields such as cherries and blackberries.

The companies will pilot a technology solution in collaboration with Walmart Global Tech’s Sparkubate program.

This first-of-its-kind Agritask initiative aims to secure surety of supply, reduce food waste and guarantee fresh produce for shoppers. Pending the pilot results, the retailer may consider leveraging Agritask solutions and insights at scale for a second season.

The pilot will deploy Agritask’s remote sensing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited Frozen Food Development Inc. in Lancaster, PA, for failure to pay for produce. USDA filed a complaint in January 2023 alleging that Frozen Food failed to pay $2.479 million to 22 sellers for produce that was purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from July 2021 to June 2022.

The parties subsequently agreed to a Consent Decision and Order finding that Frozen Food committed willful, repeated and flagrant violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act by failing to pay for produce from July 2021 to June 2022

With the recent opening of its 16th new location this year, a unique small format No Frills, Loblaw Cos. is on track to open 40 new stores this year and convert dozens more.

Over the past few months, the company has built and opened nine new stores, and converted seven others. The conversions have largely focused on expanding the company’s hard-discount stores, Maxi and No Frills, as people continue to look for ways to save on their grocery bills. These stores provide significant value to customers, with lower prices on average and a price match guarantee.

The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation said organizations can now apply for funding for programs that advance nutrition education, nutrition access and wellness for children and adults in the communities where Sprouts operates. Sprouts will award a total of $3 million to approximately 300 local organizations.

“Our 32,000 team members want to see our communities thrive. Supporting local organizations that focus on wellness and nutrition access is an important part of what we do,” said Jack Sinclair, CEO of Sprouts Farmers Market.

The foundation’s mission is focused on improving health