Latest news with #Tops
Business Wire
17 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
The South African
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Tops employee caught on CCTV dancing to Afrikaans song
Viral videos never seem to dry up on the World Wide Web. Isn't it wild how there's always something bizarre or hilarious making the rounds? From people surfing shopping trolleys on highways to cringeworthy challenge fails, the Internet never stops surprising us. The latest viral sensation has grabbed the attention of millions, racking up likes and shares all over social media. Today's Eish Wena segment features a Tops employee who went viral after being caught on the store's CCTV dancing to an Afrikaans song. Watch the video below @ When that one Afrikaans song just hits different in Ladismith Tops !! #spar #tops #southafrica #kurtdarren ♬ original sound – Ladismith Spar Need your news quickly? Visit The South African website for all you need to know. Enjoy a wide variety of videos from news, lifestyle, travel, sports, viral videos and lots more! There is always something to watch here! Why not follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok while you're at it? Get ALL the news you need to know on the go at your convenience! Submit your videos for a chance to be featured in the daily Viral Video article and get your name mentioned. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yomiuri Shimbun
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Vietnam, Thailand Aim to Grow Rice Exports to Japan
The Yomiuri Shimbun Packets of Thailand-grown japonica rice are displayed alongside those imported from Japan in a supermarket in Bangkok. BANGKOK — Vietnam and Thailand, which are among the world's top three rice exporters, are expecting an increase in their exports of rice to Japan. In both countries, production of japonica rice, which is the same short-grain variety as that produced in Japan, has been expanding amid a boom in washoku Japanese cuisine. The countries aim to turn the surging rice prices in Japan into a business opportunity. In a supermarket in Bangkok that is part of the Tops group, a major retail chain in Thailand, five-kilogram packs of japonica rice produced in the country were sold for 275 baht (about ¥1,200). The price is much lower than that in Japan. In other Japanese supermarkets in Thailand, Sasanishiki and other Japanese-brand rice, harvested in Thailand, were being sold at similar prices. The climate in Thailand is warm all year round and thus rice can thrive there. Though the main variety grown is indica long-grain rice, recently an increasing number of farmers have begun growing the japonica variety. A 44-year-old farmer who has grown the Koshihikari brand of rice from Japan for a year said that he can sell japonica rice at double the price of Thailand's indica rice and his profit margin is high. In his rice paddies, it is possible to harvest rice three times a year, he said. The export value of rice from Thailand to Japan in 2024 increased 1.3-fold from 10 years ago to $183 million (about ¥26.5 billion). Currently, most of the exports are indica rice and it is assumed that much of the production of japonica rice is for Thailand's domestic market. The Thai government is paying attention to Japan's rice market situation. Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said that the Thai government wants to exploit a market where Thai rice can be sold at high prices and increase rice exports. According to an estimate announced by the U.S. Agriculture Department in May, the total amount of global rice exports in fiscal 2024 was 61.4 million tons. By export volume, India was ranked top with a share of about 40%, followed by Vietnam at 13% and Thailand at 11%. On June 5, the Vietnam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA) exported for the first time 500 tons of rice of a new brand, 'Low-emission Green Vietnamese Rice' of the japonica variety. Its selling point is that greenhouse gases emitted during its growth can be reduced. The new brand of rice was cultivated with an eye on sales in Japan, where consumers are environmentally conscious and quality standards are strict. VIETRISA Chairman Bui Ba Bong said that Japan's current rice shortage is a good opportunity for Vietnam-made rice to enter the high-end market. VIETRISA aims to continuously supply rice to the Japanese market. When Japan imports rice, a tariff of ¥341 per kilogram is imposed on amounts exceeding a tariff-free quota called 'minimum access.' But Japanese companies, mainly trading firms, have increased rice imports because the prices are lower than domestically produced rice even after the tariff is added. The volume of rice exported from Taiwan to Japan reached 7,759 tons between January and May, up more than six-fold from the corresponding period last year. Taiwan-produced rice is similar in taste and growing techniques to Japan-produced rice. Going forward, it is possible that rice imports from Southeast Asia will also increase. However, if price gaps between imported rice and domestically grown rice widen, it may negatively impact Japanese rice farmers. The possibility will likely stir up controversy.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Buffalo marks 3 years since Tops tragedy with day of service and remembrance
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Wednesday marks three years since the mass shooting at the Tops on Jefferson Avenue that claimed 10 lives and forever changed the lives of three survivors. In response, the community is coming together to transform a day of tragedy into one of unity and healing. The '5/14 Day of Service & Remembrance,' organized by the Clementine Gold Group, began this morning with volunteers participating in acts of service across Buffalo. Starting at 9 a.m., participants wrote notes of encouragement, delivered care kits to East Side neighbors, and helped beautify the community. 5/14 victims to be honored 3 years after shooting 'It's obviously a tragic event, but we also know that we want to honor our community members in a way that lifts this into a different space,' said Ekua Mends-Aidoo, president of the Clementine Gold Group. 'Ultimately, one of the things we wanted to do was make sure that we're never forgetting this. So, we are connecting it back to these folks through service and a celebration of life through a community gathering afterwards.' At 2 p.m., Tops will host a remembrance ceremony near the 5/14 Honor Space, a memorial established at the Jefferson Avenue store to honor the victims. During today's events, the Kaleida Health Fair at Tops will be closed and re-open on Thursday at 11 a.m. Following the ceremony, a community gathering will be held on East Utica Street, between Jefferson and Dupont, from 3 to 7 p.m. The event will feature live music, wellness activities, art, and food, offering a space for reflection and connection. 'We wanted to make sure that we got in touch with as many family members as possible,' Mends-Aidoo said. 'When we spoke to them, we talked about how we could honor their loved ones through acts of service in a way that truly resonated with who they were.' As Buffalo continues to heal, days like today stand as a testament to the city's resilience and commitment to never forgetting the lives lost. For more information on today's events, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Environmental impact: 5 years since New York's plastic bag ban
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — It has been just over five years since former Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the New York State Bag Waste Reduction Act, which meant all stores collecting sales tax were no longer able to distribute plastic bags. The goal was to eliminate the use of extra plastic and help keep communities clean and safe. Now, many grocery stores, like Tops Friendly Market on Mt. Read Boulevard, have begun pushing consumers to invest in reusable bags. 'We encourage customers to use the reusable bags so that as a company, we are being more environmentally friendly,' says Dave Williams, the Mt. Read Boulevard location store manager. 'We want to do what we can to prevent any kind of plastics going into the landfill, trying to do our best to really push the use of reusable bags, as they are best for the environment.' Along with most other grocery stores, Tops does provide paper bags to customers, but even paper bags can be harmful for the environment. A spokesperson from the supermarket chain says that although paper is much more environmentally friendly than plastic, it can still present potential issues, as the production of paper bags can release air and water pollutants. As Williams explains, reusable bags are better for the environment, and your wallet. 'We want to be customer friendly,' he says. 'So we do provide paper bags at a small cost, so there is a savings long term by using reusable bags.' Even though Tops and other supermarkets were enjoying the reusable bags, many customers weren't on board right away. 'Originally, I missed them,' said Dorothy Madigan, a Town of Greece resident. 'I would use them for trash and everything else.' Another Greece resident agreed with Dorothy. 'I liked the plastic bags,' says Anne Murphy. 'I have a cat and I would find other uses for the bags outside of just holding groceries.' Eventually though, they both came around to the many positive aspects of the reusable bags. 'Now I have several different bags from different vendors and I use them everywhere I go,' says Murphy. 'It's a way to restore energy and not have to worry about things.' 'Their easier to carry, easier to pack, their just all around better,' said Madigan, referring to reusable bags. 'You keep them in your car, take them in the store, bring them home, and nothing gets trashed. They last a long time and their relatively cheap too.' Aside from the environmental aspects, Williams says that by purchasing certain reusable bags at any local Tops locations, you can be giving to those in need as well. Through a charitable program called 'Totes For Change', for every special charity-design reusable bag they sell, a portion of proceeds go to a number of organizations, including United Way, Feeding America, Golisano Children's Hospital, and many more. 'To date,' Williams explains. 'We have donated over $739,000 to so many organizations that help local families.' We also reached out to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, who told us because of the plastic bag ban, we have seen a significant reduction in the amount of waste and litter statewide. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
