“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 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 10 miles from the nearest supermarket, while diabetes rates run up to 17 percent higher in rural areas than in urban centers.

By integrating NationsBenefits' Basket Adjudication Service at every Tops checkout, the company transforms routine grocery trips into Food as Medicine opportunities, letting members redeem supplemental benefits on culturally familiar, locally sourced items. The company's 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, 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 percent while managing overall healthcare costs by 16 percent.