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Business Wire
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
NationsBenefits and Tops Friendly Markets Partner to Advance Food as Medicine Access Across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont
PLANTATION, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NationsBenefits®, a leading provider of supplemental-benefit and healthcare-fintech solutions, today announced a new retail integration with Tops Friendly Markets, the neighborhood grocer that operates 147 full-service supermarkets across Upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Through this partnership, health plan members can immediately use their NationsBenefits Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card* at all Tops locations to purchase fresh produce, pantry staples, and over-the-counter wellness essentials with each transaction validated in real time by NationsBenefits' Basket Adjudication Service (BAS). 'For more than 60 years, Tops Friendly Markets has anchored community health,' said Michael Parker, Co‑CEO of NationsBenefits. 'Integrating their stores into our supplemental‑benefit network brings healthier, benefits‑eligible foods within easy reach..." Share 'For more than sixty years, Tops Friendly Markets has anchored community health,' said Michael Parker, Co-CEO of NationsBenefits. 'Integrating their stores into our supplemental-benefit network brings healthier, benefits-eligible foods within easy reach of families who once faced long drives or limited choices.' Food insecurity remains a critical challenge, with nearly one in four New York adults, particularly in rural counties, lacking reliable access to nutritious food. Nationwide, nearly 19 million Americans live in low-income, low-access census tracts, often more than ten miles from the nearest supermarket, while diabetes rates run up to 17 percent higher in rural areas than in urban centers. By integrating our Basket Adjudication Service (BAS) at every Tops checkout, NationsBenefits transforms routine grocery trips into Food as Medicine opportunities, letting members redeem supplemental benefits on culturally familiar, locally sourced items. Our real-time basket-analytics engine captures each eligible transaction at checkout, delivering ZIP-code-level purchase insights that enable health plans to fine-tune benefits and launch precisely targeted community outreach. "Feeding our neighborhoods well has always been at the heart of Tops," said Ron Ferri, President of Tops Friendly Markets. "By joining the NationsBenefits retail network, we can now place affordable, nutritious options directly in front of eligible shoppers at the very moment they fill their baskets." Tops remains focused on delivering an exceptional experience rooted in fresh, high-quality products and services, and innovative programs. With a continued focus on meeting customers where they are, the company is helping support healthier lifestyles, simplify shopping, and make every trip to the store more rewarding. 'Tops Friendly Markets has been ensuring access to high quality fresh foods and cutting-edge Pharmacy services to generations of customers,' said Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN, FAND, manager of lifestyle and wellness for Tops. 'We strive to innovate and explore how we can best serve shoppers seeking wellness options, with a spotlight on natural, organic and gluten free items, partnerships with local produce farmers, and now, direct access to insurance benefits that empower healthy purchases.' Peer-reviewed research shows that medically tailored meals and broader Food as Medicine programs can cut annual hospitalizations by 47% while managing overall healthcare costs by 16%. Leveraging this proprietary BAS technology, health plans also gain real-world, transaction-level insights that illuminate nutrition gaps by geography or chronic-condition cohort, guide ZIP-code-specific preventive initiatives such as A1C screenings or dietitian consults, and power personalized rewards that reinforce healthy shopping habits, improve member experience and engagement. Together, we're transforming everyday grocery visits into measurable outcomes that improve the health and wellness of individuals. About NationsBenefits NationsBenefits® is a leading provider of supplemental benefits, fintech solutions, and outcome improvement solutions to the healthcare industry. NationsBenefits partners with managed care organizations to provide innovative healthcare, data analytics, gap closure, and fintech solutions aimed at driving growth, reducing costs, and delighting members. Combining its cutting-edge technology with targeted retailer partnerships, NationsBenefits empowers health plans to deliver impactful supplemental benefits to optimize member experiences and drive better health outcomes. By simplifying processes to make smarter choices and expanding access to benefits solutions, NationsBenefits aims to improve each of its members' quality of life through its revolutionary and comprehensive suite of offerings. To learn more, visit About Tops Friendly Markets Based in Williamsville, NY, Tops Markets currently operates 152 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, including one that is run by a franchisee. As the largest private, for-profit employer in Western New York, with over 14,000 associates, the company is dedicated to providing sustainably sourced, high-quality products, while helping its communities flourish via support for programs that eradicate hunger and disease, educate youth, and reduce environmental waste and energy consumption. For more information, visit
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tops Friendly Markets invests $4.4m in New York store renovations
US-based supermarket chain Tops Friendly Markets has disclosed plans to invest a total of $4.4m in the refurbishment of two of its New York (NY) locations. The company is allocating $2.25m to revamp its 62,000ft² Fayetteville outlet while the 41,000ft² Manlius store will see a $2.15m upgrade. The renovation efforts will incorporate a new interior design and the installation of brand-new flooring across both stores. Additional updates include the introduction of user-friendly self-checkout stations, improved LED lighting and restrooms, an enlarged Deli and Carry Out Café, and a revamped Bakery section with a broader range of frozen products. Furthermore, the stores will offer a specialised Healthy Hydration section, new shopping carts, and an expanded selection of Health and Natural Organics products. The refurbishment is expected to be finalised between late summer and early autumn. Tops Friendly Markets president Ron Ferri said: 'We're proud to invest in these remodels that will bring an updated, more convenient, and enjoyable shopping experience to our customers. These enhancements are designed with our shoppers in mind, offering more fresh food options, time-saving amenities, and a more modern environment overall.' Headquartered in Williamsville, Tops Friendly Markets operates 152 grocery stores across New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, including one franchise, and has 14,000 employees. Last month, the retailer unveiled intentions to inaugurate a new outlet at a former ShopRite site in Ellenville. This 46,750ft² location is set to undergo a comprehensive $2m renovation, with plans to open in mid-June. "Tops Friendly Markets invests $4.4m in New York store renovations" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
