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Tops employee from Batavia receives prestigious national grocery business award

By Staff Writer
laura gould twig

Laura Gould, from Batavia, a promotions analyst with Tops Friendly Markets, was honored as a Top Women in Grocery by the trade publication Progressive Grocer. 

Gould, named a "Rising Star," was among six Tops employees from Western New York honored by the publication.

In total, Progressive Grocer will induct 400 women, chosen from more than 1,000 nominees, into this year’s class during its celebration taking place in Orlando, Florida in November.

"These women strengthen the retail food industry at many levels, within both the retailer and supplier communities," Tops officials said in a release. "Top Women in Grocery is a community that has continued to grow since 2007, with the best and brightest women in the industry."

The company added, "Progressive Grocer's Top Women in Grocery award is the most prestigious honor for female leaders in the grocery industry."

Previously: Batavia resident promoted to corporate management position with Tops

Tops honors veterans and active military with discount

By Press Release

Press Release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, announced today that the company will once again offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11 percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day. 

This marks the 11th year Tops has been extending this discount to military personnel and their families. Since its inception, the Veteran’s Day discount has saved Veterans and their families over $781,000.

On Saturday, Nov. 11 Tops Markets will honor an 11 percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location. 

Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve, or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11 percent discount off of their total purchase that day.

“The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served in the military is immeasurable, and for that, we are forever grateful,” said Ron Ferri, president, of Tops Friendly Markets. “We wanted to support local military personnel by giving back to our associates and customers who have courageously defended our country and made many sacrifices through their military service.”

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. The company’s support of military organizations includes, but is not limited to, support of the Wall that Heals, American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall, Honor Flight Missions and golf tournaments, sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas, VA hospital visits, participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expo, and Tops Stars for Our Troops program by which stars from embroidered US Flags slated for retirement are presented to Veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders.

Batavia resident promoted to leadership position by Tops

By Press Release

Press Release:

Kristin Goetz
Kristin Goetz 
Submitted photo

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kristin Goetz to director, center store. 

As director center store, Kristin will be responsible for directing the development, procurement, and merchandising programs for designated categories of center store merchandise to achieve budgeted sales, gross profit, deals and allowances, inventory turns and service levels. She will also work closely with all category managers, asset managers, and pricing analysts in order to maximize support for Center Store categories.

Having joined Tops Markets in 1996 as a cashier, Kristin served as a Store Manager in six locations over a span of 10 years and most recently held the position of category manager, beverage, commercial bakery and sweet goods.

Kristin holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Buffalo and currently resides in Batavia, New York with her children, Carter and Ava.

Tops celebrates Earth Day with ecologically friendly efforts

By Press Release

Press Release:

As we edge closer to celebrating another Earth Day here at Tops we are excited to announce the advances we continue to make not only in our day to day efforts to adopt practices that help protect our environment, but also efforts that will make a lifelong impact.

It’s All in the Bag Tops prides itself on working with partners who share the same commitment to environmental
practices so it was a no brainer when Tops had the opportunity to employ BioFlex™ bags instead of traditional plastic bags for its potatoes.

“BioFlex™ ticked all the boxes for us” said Jeff Cady, director produce and floral for Tops Friendly Markets. “A quality product solution that is engineered to break down in landfills all while diverting greenhouse gas emissions. A win-win.” BioFlex™ is a sustainable technology that increases the natural microbial activity in modern landfills and contributes 19 times more energy than that of regular plastic. The packaging is FDA compliant and safe for food contact. Furthermore, BioFlex™ packaging can be designed to maintain recyclability.

“This new packaging is 100% recyclable and also biodegrades in landfills and converts into renewable methane gas,” said president, David Masser of Sterman Masser, Inc. “Tops was the first retail chain to adopt this technology and has the most distribution to date.”

Kinder Way to Clean

When you think earth day you think about what changes you can make to your daily routine to help mother earth. Recycling your plastic bottles and newspapers, but did you stop and think about the cleaning products you’re using also helping in these efforts?

Tops proudly provides you with products with mother nature in mind year round! Tops Full Circle line of products are non-toxic, plant-based, and free of dyes and fragrances which are not only better for you and your family but the environment. From detergent and ecofriendly paper towels, to all purpose cleaning sprays and bath tissue, a kinder way to clean-is simply that.

Let the Sunshine

In 2022 Tops continued to increase its use of solar energy by partnering with EDP Renewables to provide solar power to even more of our stores. Together with Convergent Power + Energy and now EDP, 82 stores will have energy saving solar power.

Tops originally teamed up with Convergent in 2021, the most dependable provider of energy storage solutions in North America, to deliver more renewable energy to upstate New Yorkers in the form of community solar paired with battery storage. The partnership allows Tops stores to be powered by solar farms, which reduces the stores’ carbon footprint. The solar-plus-storage projects developed by Convergent provide Tops and upstate New Yorkers access to solar energy whether or not the sun is shining and reduce the state’s reliance on power plants during peak demand hours.

“Convergent and EDP are dedicated to mitigating the impact of a warming planet on current and future generations by advancing the clean energy transition, so expanding a partnership of this nature seemed only fitting,” stated Sautter.

Running on Clean

In 2022 Tops further enhanced its fleet of trucks by converting over to 48 new CNG trucks with impressive sustainability benefits. Fueled with clean burning natural gas, opposed to diesel fuel, these new trucks will eliminate 3,246 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent per year by fueling 1,000,000 DGEs of RNG.

To put that into perspective that is equivalent to eliminating 33,389,607 miles driven by a passenger vehicle, 502,034 incandescent lamps switched to LED’s or 563,607 trash bags of waste recycled instead of being placed in a landfill.

“Our ongoing commitment to sustainability is met with enthusiasm and resolve every day, as we work to ensure we leave our communities—and our planet—better for the next generation,” said John Persons, president, Tops Friendly Markets. “We are excited to be working with so many business partners whose values align with our environmental conservation vision."

To learn more about all of Tops sustainability efforts, visit https://www.topsmarkets.com/sustainability

Bergen cannery is growing, sells locally and looking to hire

By Joanne Beck

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There are two things that Gino DeMino knows about tomato sauce: taste and price.

When locally produced Guglielmo’s sauce came onto Batavia Tops shelves, DeMino, the store manager, knew another good one had arrived.

“I’ve had it, it’s fantastic. It has great flavor, and it’s not watered down. It has a more homemade taste,” DeMino said. “His sauce is a premium. They’re starting to do better with inflation.”

Premium equals higher quality and also means a higher price. Since inflation has been driving up prices of most everything, that has helped sales of those more expensive items, he said.

DeMino has the qualifications to know products, he said: he’s been in the business for more than 20 years and “I’m Italian.”

“I tend to eat more pasta than most people,” he said.

Guglielmo’s, a generational sauce made at Craft Cannery in Bergen, is sold at a long list of stores in neighboring counties, including Tops Friendly Markets. The sauce arrived at Batavia Tops about six months ago, but DeMinio had discovered it before then, at a Rochester store.

Several small businesses bring their recipes to Craft, which manufactures their products as a safe, reliable end result. Red Osier of Stafford is another local client that has marinades and sauces in Tops and Wegmans, and more distant places, such as Hotdog Charlie’s from the Albany area, is a hot seller, Tom Riggio said.

The ever-expanding vendor list is just one sign of Craft Cannery’s robust health, said Riggio, Guglielmo’s business partner. They have more than 75 clients.

“We’re growing,” Riggio said. “As far as the size of the expansion, we’re not exactly sure of the exact size at this point in time, but anywhere between 3 and 5,000 square feet. It’ll allow us to build a separate warehouse behind our building for storage purposes and allow us to put in a second kitchen, essentially a second bottling line facility.

“Our sweet spot is the local restauranteur that says they think they've got the best pasta sauce. And it was actually very, very helpful during COVID when these restaurants weren't open,” he said. “They would come to us with their pasta sauce recipe, we would make it food safe and bottle it for them. And then they get it on shelves.”

Craft Cannery is one of six USDA-certified manufacturing canneries in New York State that allows the company to produce meat-based products. It’s a good opportunity to continue to grow the business, he said. Based at 7100 Appletree Ave. in Bergen, the site on the east end of Genesee County continues to update its products and hire new personnel, especially after the expansion is completed by the first half of 2024.

One of its more recent products has been the EZ cap using new technology “which allows people that struggle to open jars to essentially push a button and be able to open a jar with a lot less force,” he said.

“Our business continues to grow, we’re experiencing growth,” Riggio said. “We’re looking to add more people. We’re up to eight, we’re adding one new this Monday. Two more next week. And seven to eight to run the second line.”

With all of the good, there have been a few bumps along the way since purchasing the company in May 2020. Craft lost a client they had been producing six varieties of sauces for, which meant taking a financial hit. They had purchased raw materials, made product and shipped it out before learning that Real Eats out of Geneva had gone out of business. It was a loss of “tens of thousands of dollars,” Riggio said.

“It stings. It’s the cost of doing business for us. Thankfully, you know, we plan for these situations,” he said. “Our business will be fine; it hasn’t impacted our business. Our employees will be able to use some of the raw materials.”

Contrary to how some news articles made it seem, Craft Cannery is alive and well, he said. If anything, he will take a page from that other company’s last chapter and learn to move carefully with Craft Cannery. The site is big enough for options.

“We’ve got land that we could expand even further. But what we don’t want to do is, we don’t want to over-expand. We’re going to take the steps that we need to do to keep up and grow the business,” he said. “I don’t want to overstep it and put the business at risk, which is exactly what happened with Real Eats. I’ve got a background in building businesses and brands. And obviously, Paul is the face of the company. So the two of us make a good one-two punch.”

paulygtops2023.jpg

Top Photo: Paul Guglielmo shows some of his sauce that's locally made at Craft Cannery in Bergen and now available at Batavia Tops on Lewiston Road. Photos by Howard Owens.

Tops closing stores in the region

By Press Release

Press release:

The safety of our associates and customers remains our top priority.  Due to the continued extreme weather conditions, all Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming County Tops stores will remain closed until Monday.  We will reopen at 6 a.m. on Monday. 

Batavia resident promoted to corporate management position with Tops

By Press Release

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, is pleased to announce the promotion of Laura Gould to promotions manager.

Laura began her career at Tops in 2001 as a scan associate at store 245 in Batavia. She eventually worked her way up to assistant scan coordinator. In 2008 Laura joined the Corporate Office as a data integrity coordinator, and in 2015 was promoted to the promotions coordinator. Later in 2015, Laura was promoted to the position of promotions analyst. She holds a BS in Mathematics, as well as a BS in Computational Science from SUNY Brockport.

Laura lives in Batavia, NY, with her husband, Charlie and their children, Adam and Olivia. She is an avid baker and enjoys spending time with family and friends. 

Veterans get 11 percent off at Tops on Friday

By Press Release

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, announced today that the company will once again offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11 percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day.  This marks the tenth year Tops has been extending this discount to military personnel and their families.

On Friday, Nov. 11, Tops Markets will honor an 11 percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location.  Customers should present proof of service that they or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11 percent discount off of their total purchase that day. 

“The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served in the military is immeasurable, and for that, we are forever grateful,” said John Persons, president of Tops Friendly Markets.  “We wanted to support local military personnel by giving back to our associates and customers who have courageously defended our country and made many sacrifices through their military service.”

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. Since the inception of the Tops 11% military discount, Tops has saved veterans and their families $681,317 on their groceries.  The company’s support of military organizations includes, but is not limited to, support of the Wall that Heals, American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall, Honor Flight Missions and golf tournaments, the 10th Anniversary Veterans Race, sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas, VA hospital visits, participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expo, and Tops Stars for Our Troops program by which stars from embroidered US Flags slated for retirement are presented to Veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders. 

'Project Sticker Shock’ kicks off Red Ribbon Week

By Mike Pettinella

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Students from Batavia High and Notre Dame participated in “Project Sticker Shock” this morning to kick off Red Ribbon Week, the annual end-of-October alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign.

Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 as a tribute to Enrique Camarena, a fallen U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency special agent. According to the DEA, it is the nation's largest and longest-running drug awareness and prevention program.

“It’s just the right thing to do,” said ND sophomore Jack Weddle (photo above) as he placed warning stickers on multi-packs of beer and hard seltzer at Tops Friendly Market in Batavia.

He was joined by ND senior Greg Narburgh and members of the ATOP (All Types of People) social club from Batavia High. The exercise was supervised by Carol Nicometo and Shellye Dale-Hall, prevention educators at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, and Heidi Meides-Judge, counselor at Batavia High.

The stickers were colored bright orange and featured the following message:

Warning! It is illegal for any persons 21 or older to purchase or provide alcohol to minors. Fines up to $1,000 and/or 1 year in jail.

Prudence Favalora, one of the ATOP members, said that she will be reading the Red Ribbon Week honor code prior to tonight’s Batavia High junior varsity football game (6 p.m. start) at Van Detta Stadium.

Additionally, the Batavia City School District board of education issued a proclamation in observance of Red Ribbon Week and Batavia Middle and Batavia High parents signed pledges to keep their kids drug- and alcohol-free.

GCASA officials reported that Red Ribbon Week activities include special events at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road.

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Photo: Students taking part in Project Sticker Shock are, front from left, Casey Reynolds, Kassandra Kessler, Prudence Favalora, Abbigayle Leone, Issac Tidd and Jen Ewert; back, Greg Narburgh and Jack Weddle. Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Disclosure: Mike Pettinella is the publicist for GCASA.

Identity of person of interest in Tops larceny sought by BPD

By Press Release

screenshot_7tops.jpg

Press Release:

The Batavia Police Department is looking for help in identifying a person of interest in a larceny at Tops Supermarket which occurred on June 2 at approximately 10:05 a.m. Anyone with information on the identity of the person in the photo is asked to contact Officer Christopher Lindsay at 585-345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370. Please do not post tips on Facebook or Twitter as the posts are not continuously monitored.

Tops annual Check Out Hunger campaign

By Press Release

Press Release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and western Vermont, is excited to kick off this year’s Check Out Hunger campaign (which beings Sunday, January 23-Saturday February 12, 2022) with a generous donation from the Lisa Miller Cutten Foundation for $20,000! This will directly impact FeedMore WNY right here in our community.

“FeedMore WNY is deeply grateful for the incredible partnership of the Lisa Miller Cutten Foundation. The Foundation’s gift to our Food 2 Families event allowed us to provide $10,000 worth of turkeys to community members in need. That donation was matched by Tops Friendly Markets in complementary food items, ensuring our hungry neighbors could enjoy a complete, hearty meal,” Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO of FeedMore WNY, said. “We are humbled that the Lisa Miller Cutten Foundation is donating $20,000 to kick off Tops Friendly Markets’ Check Out Hunger campaign for FeedMore WNY. The Foundation’s generosity and support will help FeedMore WNY provide nourishing food and hope to children, families and older adults throughout Western New York.”

Tops’ annual Check Out Hunger campaign has helped raise over $4,845,333 for participating food banks since 2006.

According to a recent study by Feeding America, more than 38 million people, including 12 million children, face food insecurity in the United States. With the community’s support, however, we can make a difference. When shopping at Tops simply tell your cashier you’d like to help Tops Check Out Hunger and a donation of $2, $3 or $5 will help provide food for your local food bank.

“Eradicating hunger and assisting our fellow neighbors in need is part of Tops core mission so supporting this effort on an annual basis is something that we gladly stand behind,” said Kristen Hanson, Vice President of Center Store, Our Brands; Pharmacy and FeedMore WNY board member.

Participating food banks that will benefit from this year’s Check out Hunger Campaign include:

  • FeedMore WNY
  • Food Bank of Central NY
  • Foodlink of Rochester
  • Food Bank of Southern Tier
  • Food Bank of the Hudson Valley
  • Food Bank of NW PA
  • Food Bank of Central PA
  • Food Bank of NE NY
  • Food Bank of Vermont

To learn more about Tops Friendly Markets and its charitable programs, please visit http://www.topsmarkets.com/Community/Living_Here_Giving_Here/.

Tops to participate in annual Food for Families Campaign

By Press Release

Press release:

As we enter into the giving season, now more than ever our fellow neighbors are in need of your help. According to the US Department of Agriculture over 38 million people, including over 11 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2020 with no signs of that number decreasing.  And it hasn’t slowed down.  As a matter of fact, many of the participating food banks that will benefit from this program have indicated that the need is up more than 40%.

That is why Tops Friendly Markets is proud to once again host its annual Food for Families Campaign, now in its 15th year, with a goal to provide more than 2.5 million meals for our neighbors in need. As Tops launches its Food for Families campaign November 14 - December 24, 2021, we ask that you consider making a donation the next time you shop in-store or online.

Tops Food for Families campaign is synonymous with The Little Brown Bag of Hope. Customers can easily purchase a Little Brown Bag of Hope paper icon at the register anytime they shop. At the register, customers will be asked if they want to support the campaign by buying a $5, $10, and/or $20 bag for someone in need in our community or to round up their change. Little Brown Bags which are filled with nutritious items that will help families extend their meal planning, can also be purchased at any self-scan register as well.

Virtual Little Brown Bags of Hope will also be available for purchase online by simply visiting https://www.topsmarkets.com/LittleBrownBags so no matter what the weather, a donation can be made right from their phone, tablet, or desktop. Here customers can select what food bank they wish their donation to benefit.

Tops announces veterans discount on Nov. 11

By Press Release

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, announced today that the company will once again offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11 percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day.

On Thursday, November 11, 2021, Tops Markets will honor an 11 percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location.  Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11 percent discount off of their total purchase that day.

“The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served in the military is immeasurable, and for that we are forever grateful,” said Frank Curci, Tops chief executive officer and chairman.  “We wanted to support local military personnel by giving back to our associates and customers who have courageously defended our country and made many sacrifices through their military service.”

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. Since the inception of the Tops 11% military discount, Tops has saved veterans and their families close to $576,000 on their groceries.  The company’s support of military organizations includes, but is not limited to, support of the Wall that Heals, American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall, Honor Flight Missions and golf tournament, 10th Anniversary Veterans Race, sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas, VA hospital visits, participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expo, and Tops Stars for Our Troops program by which stars from embroidered US Flags slated for retirement are presented to Veterans, active-duty personnel, and first responders.

Tops now offers SNAP-eligible customers ease of using EBT card online with Instacart

By Press Release

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets is pleased to now offer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible customers the ease of shopping online with Instacart.

SNAP shoppers can now pay for their same-day pickup or delivery orders with their EBT card while shopping online at Tops that partner with Instacart in New York State.

Tops offers Instacart services at 126 convenient New York locations.

“Tops Friendly Marketsis excited to pilot these services in our largest market of Instacart stores,” said Jill Sirica, manager, digital marketing for Tops.

“At the core of Tops mission is combating food insecurity and this will help bridge that gap of helping families gain accessibility to healthy and affordable food, something we have strived for since we began our partnership with Instacart. We are truly excited to see it come to fruition.” 

David Healy, who is in charge of retail partnerships at Instacart, said “Providing people access to the food they love is at the core of Instacart’s mission. We’re proud to partner with Tops Friendly Markets to provide more families with a convenient and accessible way to get their fresh food and pantry staples.

"Expanding EBT SNAP to reach same-day online grocery delivery and pickup is important to help people access the food they need, and we look forward to expanding this payment integration to even more retailers ...”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides assistance for low- and no-income U.S. residents to purchase food. SNAP benefits are processed through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) debit card system.

By associating your EBT card to your Instacart account (either website or mobile app), you confirm that your card information is current and valid. To successfully use your EBT card at a Tops location online, a credit or debit card must be linked to your Instacart account to cover non-food fees, such as bottle deposits in some states, taxes, delivery tips, and any other non-EBT SNAP-eligible items that you may want to purchaseper federal SNAP guidelines.

Customers can then enter their zip code to determine if they are near a participating Tops, and begin shopping and selecting items from Tops’ EBT-eligible products. Once items are added to their cart, customers will be able to select how much of their benefits they would like to allocate to the order. Orders for delivery and pickup can be placed by customers for receipt in as fast as an hour or scheduled several days in advance. 

To help subsidize costs for EBT SNAP participants, Instacart will waive delivery or pickup fees through Sept. 16 on up to the first three EBT SNAP orders for each customer with a valid EBT card associated with their Instacart account. For more information about EBT SNAP on Instacart, visit www.instacart.com/ebt-snap.

Tops Markets award two more scholarships in Genesee County

By Press Release

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in Upstate New York, Vermont, and Northern Pennsylvania, announced today that it has awarded $267,350 dollars to 238 Tops first-year and matriculated college associates, associate dependents, and associate grandchildren for the 2021-2022 academic year.

​Madison Zimmerman, from Corfu, and Shirley Logan, from Le Roy, were both awarded scholarships for $1,150 each.*

All Tops associates, union and nonunion, their dependents and grandchildren are eligible to apply for scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 annually over the course of four academic years.  

Through partnership with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local One, Tops Markets makes an annual contribution to the UFCW health care fund. The funds are then disbursed by the Union to Tops Markets part-time and full-time union associates. Part time and full time associates who are not UFCW Local One members, their dependents and their grandchildren are eligible to apply for scholarships through the Tops Scholarship Program.  

Applicants to both the UFCW health care fund and the Tops Scholarship Program must meet certain scholastic and work performance criteria in order to be considered eligible for an award.

*Yesterday, it was announced that Mary Caprio, of Oakfield, and Margaret Demare, of Batavia, were both awarded scholarships for $1,150 each.

Tops Markets award two scholarships in Genesee County

By Press Release

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in Upstate New York, Vermont, and Northern Pennsylvania, announced today that it has awarded $267,350 dollars to 238 Tops first-year and matriculated college associates, associate dependents, and associate grandchildren for the 2021-2022 academic year.

In Genesee County, Mary Caprio, of Oakfield, and Margaret Demare, of Batavia, were both awarded scholarships for $1,150 each.

Since the start of the scholarship program in 1989, Tops has awarded $21,700,000 dollars to more than 22,000 recipients. 

“Each year, we are pleased to work with our Union partners to award Tops associates, their dependents and their grandchildren with college scholarships” said Frank Curci, president and CEO of Tops Markets. “We proudly support all associates and associates’ family members who choose to further their education by providing funding toward all four years of their educational journey.”

All Tops associates, union and nonunion, their dependents and grandchildren are eligible to apply for scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 annually over the course of four academic years.  

Through partnership with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local One, Tops Markets makes an annual contribution to the UFCW health care fund. The funds are then disbursed by the Union to Tops Markets part-time and full-time union associates. Part time and full time associates who are not UFCW Local One members, their dependents and their grandchildren are eligible to apply for scholarships through the Tops Scholarship Program.  

Applicants to both the UFCW health care fund and the Tops Scholarship Program must meet certain scholastic and work performance criteria in order to be considered eligible for an award.

Tops now offers over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid results test kit

By Press Release

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets is proud to offer the community an [PA1] at-home COVID-19 testing kit manufactured by industry leader Quidel and distributed by McKesson. The kit costs $24.95.

QuickVue® At-Home OTC COVID-19 Tests* by Quidel provides you with rapid results in the privacy of your own home. This fast, easy, over the counter COVID-19 test is ready when you are. Everything you need is included in the package and using the test is simple.

The test is authorized under an FDA EUA* for home use with a gentle self-collected anterior nasal swab sample for those ages 2 years and older to determine a positive or negative COVID-19 result. (Adults must perform the test for those 2 to 14 years of age.) The kit includes two tests, which should be used over two to three days with at least 24 hours and no more than 36 hours between tests. 

How it works: The swab containing the nasal sample is swirled in a tube of reagent solution, then removed, before a test strip is inserted. After just 10 minutes, you can remove the test strip out from the tube and see your results. Wait at least 24 hours, but no more than 36 hours, to use the second test. Positive results may require further follow up with your physician.

In a clinical study, the QuickVue At- Home OTC COVID-19 Test identified positive cases 83.5 percent of the time, and identified negative cases 99.2 percent of the time when compared to molecular PCR results, the standard lab test that on average takes four to five days before receiving results [KL2]

Still looking to receive a COVID-19 Vaccine? Vaccine appointments are available at Tops Pharmacies for those 12 years of age and older (where available) who elect to be vaccinated. For more information or to schedule a visit www.Topsmarkets.com/COVID19

*The QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test is intended for the qualitative detection of the nucleocapsid protein antigen from SARS-CoV-2 from individuals with or without symptoms or other epidemiological reasons to suspect COVID-19 when tested twice over two or three days with at least 24 hours and no more than 36 hours between tests. This home test is authorized for nonprescription home use with self-collected (unobserved) direct anterior nasal (NS) swab specimens from individuals aged 14 years and older or with adult-collected anterior NS samples from individuals ages 2 or older.

This home test has not been FDA cleared or approved but has been authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the detection of proteins from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. This home test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C.§360bbb-3(b)(1), unless authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

[PA1] Note – Added required EUA disclaimer language below. It is not approved. 

[KL2] Somewhat misleading as the molecular PCR test does take more lab time, but getting results back are a matter of logistics.

Batavia shopper wins $10K of 'Food & Fuel Stimulus' in Tops Monopoly Tip It and Win It Game

By Press Release

Press release:

Yesterday, Tops was excited to award $10,000 in Food & Fuel Stimulus as part of its Tops Monopoly Rip it and Win It Game to MaryAnne D., of Batavia.

Tops kicked off its 12thseason of Monopoly® Rip It & Win It Game on March 7. This year you’ll not only have a chance to win one of 50 Grand Prizes of $10,000 like the lucky individual noted above, in Food & Fuel Stimulus, but millions of other prizes and great money saving offers!

MaryAnne was lucky winner number 15 of a potential 50!

  • Her initial reaction when the realized they won – "Not real, someone added an extra 0 at the end of the grand total. Starting to sink in but I won’t really believe it until I get the gift cards in my hand. People were so excited at the store when I showed them the ticket – it was like a party going on."
  • Where were they when they realized they won – "I was home and alone. ... usually thrown them in my purse and don’t bother with them right away. Wasn’t even supposed to shop that day. I had to pick up some items for a gathering so I stopped in. Another unusual thing happened is that I changed lanes to the one next to me and I never do that. My daughter had a bunch of tickets and opened all of them right away, but wasn’t as lucky."
  • Who did they tell first (if they weren't around anyone when they realized) – "Went to my daughter’s that day and showed her the ticket.  She was very excited."
  • Are they regular players of the game/how long – "Retired and used to play the board game, but she likes the Rip It & Win much better."
  • What do they think they will buy first – "Don’t know, don’t spend a lot on groceries or gas, I will probably give away as gifts."

Also when you play online select game tickets will award Magic Tokens, new in 2021. Magic Tokens can be saved in the player’s online game account and may be redeemed to receive an eCoupon for that week’s Weekly Lucky Token special which is loaded into their BonusPlus Card.  This way you never have to miss out on a great deal just because you don’t have that week’s Lucky Token!

And what’s more-one lucky winner will be guaranteed to win our Second Chance Sweepstakes of $20,000 Food & Fuel Stimulus Prize!

For more details on this year’s game, visit www.topsmarkets.com today!

Batavia artist Jill Pettigrew wins Grand Prize and $1K in 38th annual Taste of Buffalo poster contest

By Press Release

Submitted image by Batavia artist Jill Pettigrew and press release:

Tops Friendly Markets and the Taste of Buffalo are pleased to announce that Jill Pettigrew, a talented artist from Batavia, is the Grand Prize Winner of the 2021 Taste of Buffalo Tops Poster Art contest.

Pettigrew was the winner for artists in the 18+ year old age group. Her artwork will be featured on the festival poster and in the event’s marketing materials. In addition, she will receive a $1,000 prize.

Anna Valece Bauer, a 17-year old resident of Williamsville, was the winner in the 13-17-year-old age group and will be presented with $500.

The prizes are courtesy of Tops Friendly Markets and The Taste of Buffalo.

“As is always the case, we were incredibly impressed with the talent of Western New York’s many artists who sent in entries for our poster contest,” said Amber Hartman, 2021 Taste of Buffalo chair.

“The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops looks forward to sharing this year’s winning poster inside all of our participating restaurants and on the cover of our digital festival guide, which will be available on TasteofBuffalo.com.”

This year’s festival taking place July 10-11, will be back as a live event and is planned to take place in Niagara Square and on a portion of Delaware Avenue. This year’s festival will be modified to comply with any COVID-19 restrictions that may still be in place in July. 

About Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops

It is the nation's largest two-day food festival. The 38th annual Taste in 2021 will take place on July 10 and 11. The Taste is a not-for-profit organization with more than 1,000 volunteers helping to put on the annual event.

Approximately $541,000 has been raised at the festival for local charities including three $1,000 scholarships awarded last year to local high school seniors pursuing a culinary or hospitality-related degree. For more information, visit tasteofbuffalo.com, and find us @tasteofbuffalo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Batavia Tops Market celebrates 'fresh' new look with grand opening

By Mike Pettinella

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Tops Market President John Persons said he and his team logged hundreds of miles in their quest to come up with just the right look for their latest round of store remodeling.

“I think this remodel has turned out the best,” said Persons, speaking during grand opening festivities at the Batavia Tops on West Main Street this morning. “The executive team along with some of our construction department toured the whole East Coast and looked at other stores, other ideas, and we came up with this prototype with a new comfortable feeling, and a new color décor and palette.

“Of course, we wanted to enhance the departments … making sure we had the right physical pieces, the right cases that are easy for customers to use, the right capacity for all our shelves and fresh products.”

Tops invested about $4 million to modernize the Batavia store, Persons said, and is committed to remodeling six or seven stores a year. The Le Roy Tops was remodeled last year.

“This is the third full remodel that we have done at this location,” he said. “The original location was across the street. Then we moved here and remodeled in the early 1990s, in the mid-2000s, and now this one.”

Store Manager Kris Ponzi, in her 31st year with the company, said new features include a daily fresh-cut fruit station, daily freshly prepared sushi made by an outsourced chef, new cheese shop with local and imported cheeses, expanded olive bar, wider selection of grab-and-go meals, brew market featuring local beers, and new refrigeration throughout the store.

“Everything in the store is brand new, from the flooring to the fixtures to the ceiling to the LED lighting and décor. Our shoppers will find a wide variety of items that they didn’t find before, and we’re really excited,” she added.

When asked about the recent merger with Price Chopper, she said today was all about the grand opening and that “nothing is changing in the way we operate right now.”

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Photo at top: Tops Market President John Persons, Batavia Store Manager Kris Ponzi and Chief Executive Officer Frank Curci cut the ribbon this morning at the Batavia store's grand opening.

Photo at bottom: Produce Associate Tammy Bickle, Executive Jack Barrett, Assistant Manager Mike Dowd, Grocery Manager Rob Aube, District Manager Mark Dudziak, Customer Service Manager Melissa Reigle, President John Persons, Store Manager Kris Ponzi, CEO Frank Curci, Operations Manager James Stokes, Night Manager Angela Taylor and Meat Manager Tim Johnson.

Photos by Mike Pettinella.

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