Archive: Business & Technology

Williamsville, NY – Tops Friendly Markets, the leading full-service grocery retailer in Western New York, Central New York, including Rochester, and Northwestern Pennsylvania today announced that it is holding a Halloween Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24 to celebrate and recognize the growers who supply fresh, locally-grown produce to all Tops stores everyday.

Since transitioning back to a locally operated and managed grocer, Tops has increased by 40 percent the number of local growing partners it uses. Tops has more than 170 farms and grower co-operatives in Western and Central New York now providing fresh produce to its stores.

“One of our objectives from day one has been to ensure that we are providing our customers with the freshest, locally-grown produce available,” said Frank Curci, president and CEO of Tops. “Local growers are very important to the economies of the regions we serve and we believe in not only supporting this industry but highlighting what they do and this festival is just one part of that effort.”

Curci added that there are various benefits associated with choosing products from local farms. He cited the positive impact on the local economy and the increased support of local family farmers, the quality of the produce and environmental benefits such as reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on the distance it takes for the fruits and vegetables to travel from the farm to stores. Tops also utilizes an aggressive marketing campaign to highlight its commitment to local growers both in-store, in advertising materials and with special events such as the Halloween Harvest Festival.

The Halloween Harvest Festival celebrates the locally grown produce popular during the fall season, including apples, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and squash along with fresh-baked apple and pumpkin pies and floral selections. >From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 24, all Tops stores will celebrate with various in-store specials and family-friendly activities.

“The fall season is a great time to showcase the best that Tops’ local growers provide,” said Sam Qureshi, Tops’ director of produce and floral. “We have planned this week-long celebration to offer our customers the freshest fall produce and we’ll have some great values available to them as well, especially with New York State apples.”

Qureshi explained that one of the sales includes customers filling a five-pound tote bag with red delicious, empire and ginger apples for $2.49.

“In addition to all of the in-store specials, each Tops store is joining in the celebration of the fall produce season by hosting their own special events for children and families. We will also have local growers at various Tops stores to greet customers and talk about their produce,” Qureshi said.

Among the activities available at each store on Oct. 24 will be a Halloween costume contest and in-store trick-or-treating, a Tops associates costume contest, pumpkin painting, face painting and other activities. At various locations, local growers will be on hand to discuss local produce.

Specific activities will vary by store.

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