Tops Market touts environmental commitments

Sept. 18 marks Wold Cleanup Day, and Tops Markets is highlighting its environmental commitments to celebrate. The northeast grocery chain with a large private label selection is expanding EV charging stations, flashfood programs, solar power fields and more to help commit to a cleaner environment.

“As Tops continues to strive to leave our planet a better place, we continue to expand our sustainability practices both in our stores and behind scenes and be at the forefront of environmental responsibility through energy efficient upgrades and responsible practices,” said the company. Tops recently marked 10 years of its Tops in Education Program, which also allows the company to give back to the local community.

Tops is host to three EV stations with the anticipation of expanding to ten by 2022. Tops recently installed a fast charger at its LaGrangeville Tops location thanks to partners EVOLVE NY and the New York Power Authority, as well as two additional stations in conjunction with National Grid. National Grid notes that cars that are powered by the grid currently produce 54% less lifetime carbon pollution than gasoline cars, which could grow to 71% by 2050.

“Tops continues to look for ways to achieve our carbon reduction goals and help safeguard the environment,” said Tom Fitzgerald, vice president, corporate development for Tops. “With the installation of 10 additional EV charging stations, Tops will be able to help contribute to better air quality with less fuel emissions making an impact in the communities we serve.”

In addition to more EV charging stations, 75 Tops locations will be powered by the solar farms run by Convergent Energy + Power this fall. Tops will be able to reduce its carbon footprint by delivering more renewable energy in the form of community solar paired with battery storage. The solar-plus-storage projects developed by Convergent provides Tops and upstate New Yorkers access to solar energy whether or not the sun is shining and reduce the state’s reliance on power plants during peak demand hours.

In the shopping realm, Tops says it has expanded its Flashfood program from 33 stores to 50 this year, with more sites expected to join. Launched initially at six stores in Western New York, the in-store program allows customers to purchase food nearing its sell-by date to save money and to help reduce food waste. Items like fresh produce, meat, deli, bakery, and dairy, may be listed at up to 60% off on the Flashfood app and then are available for pick up at one of the designated Tops Friendly Market locations.

“At Tops, social responsibility and sustainability have always been at the core of our mission, upholding standards that ensure we reduce environmental waste and energy consumption while providing customers with sustainably sourced, high-quality products, at a great value,” said Jeff Culhane, senior vice president of sales and merchandising for Tops. “The Flashfood program fits right into our business model and we’re excited to continue to bring this unique, money saving opportunity to more of our customers.”