Topco Adds New Members
Topco Associates has added two new members to the organization and named a new vice chairman to its board of directors.
On the membership side, American Foods International Inc. and Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. are now members of the grocery cooperative. With the additions, Topco now has 48 member-owners.
Headquartered in Miami, American Foods International services independent retailers throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, and South Florida. The company has joined as a full member, participating in Dairy/Commercial Bakery; Deli-Bakery-Foodservice; Frozen; Grocery; HBC & GM; Indirect Spend; Meat & Seafood and Produce & Floral. Frank Stanzione serves as its president & CEO.
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG), based in Kansas City, Kan., is a retailer-owned wholesaler with 1,100 member companies that distribute to more than 3,400 stores across 33 states, including a few Topco members. AWG joined Topco as a full member in Deli-Bakery-Foodservice; HBC & GM; Indirect Spend and Produce & Floral programs. AWG is led by President & CEO Dan Funk.
“We’re excited to partner with both organizations, and their joining of Topco shows the continued importance of independent grocers partnering together to be successful,” said Randy Skoda, president and CEO of Topco. “In addition, their active participation will strengthen the membership’s total go-to-market strategy with improved sourcing opportunities and new and unique perspectives based on their business models.”
The Topco cooperative now stands at 48 member-owners.
Additionally, during Topco’s Board of Directors meeting, Big Y Foods, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Michael D’Amour was appointed vice chairman of Topco’s Board of
The grandson of Big Y co-founder Paul D’Amour and son of Donald D’Amour, began working in supermarkets in various roles as a teenager before beginning his full-time career at Big Y in 1996. Additionally, Michael D’Amour serves on the board of FMI/The Food Industry Association.
Big Y has been a member of Topco since 1991, and Michael D’Amour has been an active supporter of Topco for decades and served as a member of the Operations Team for the last 20 years.
D’Amour joins Topco Chairman of the Board Steve Smith, who was appointed to his position last year. Smith operates as K-VA-T Foods Stores, Inc. president and chief executive officer.
“I’m honored to serve as the vice chairman of the Topco Board of Directors, assisting Steve in guiding the company as we continue to navigate an ever-evolving grocery retail landscape,” D’Amour said. “I look forward to collaborating with the membership on key initiatives and continuing the work of our strategic vision for the cooperative.”
Photo caption: The 2025 Topco Board of Directors includes (from left, front row): David Rice, Associated Food Stores, Inc.; Brian George, Alex Lee, Inc.; (second row) Todd Schnuck, Schnuck Markets, Inc.; John Persons, Northeast Grocery, Inc.; Chris Coborn, Coborn’s Incorporated; (third row) Steve Smith, K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc., Topco Chairman of the Board of Directors; Michael D’Amour, Big Y Foods, Inc., Topco Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors; and Pete Van Helden, Stater Bros. Markets; (back row) Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee, Inc.; Randy Skoda, Topco Associates, LLC; Brad Brookshire, Brookshire Holdings, Inc.; Not Pictured: Tony B. Sarsam; SpartanNash Company.
