Market 32 and Price Chopper Announce $630,000 Multi-Year Partnership with the Regional Food Bank
LATHAM, NY – Market 32 and Price Chopper today announces a historic, multi-year partnership with the Regional Food Bank, strengthening a relationship that dates back to 1982 and expanding joint efforts to support families facing food insecurity across the region.
The new agreement, which spans 2026 through 2028, formalizes and scales Market 32 and Price Chopper’s longstanding commitment to fighting food insecurity alongside the Food Bank by pledging $630,000 in support through financial contributions, fundraising, food donations, enhanced retail rescue efforts, event and program sponsorships, and year-round volunteer engagement. The multi-faceted partnership builds on the initiatives Market 32 and Price Chopper have supported for decades, ensuring the Food Bank has the long-term stability needed to plan confidently and serve a growing number of neighbors in need.
As part of the expanded partnership, Market 32 and Price Chopper will:
- Serve as Presenting Sponsor of the Food Bank’s Thanksgiving Distribution
- Support the annual Holiday Hunger Appeal and Regional Food Bank Telethon
- Fund school pantries serving students and families across the Capital Region
- Sponsor key fundraising events, including the Auction Gala and Farm to Fork Gala
- Expanded in-kind food donations and ongoing year-round support
In addition, Market 32 and Price Chopper will increase participation in its Fresh Recovery program to expand the variety and volume of fresh food rescued across dozens of stores. Every day, Regional Food Bank staff visit Market 32 and Price Chopper stores, along with other retail grocery stores, to rescue food that is approaching its “best by” date. These products are brought to the Regional Food Bank and offered to partner agencies, food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens, often on the same day. This ensures more food is delivered directly to those in need, while also reducing food waste. Each year, through partners like Market 32 and Price Chopper, more than 15 million pounds of food is saved and available for neighbors in need.
These combined investments strengthen the Food Bank’s ability to deliver nutritious food to more than 1,000 partner agencies—including food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and community organizations—across a 23-county service area that spans 41% of New York State’s geography from the lower Hudson Valley to the Canadian Border.
“For more than four decades, the Regional Food Bank has been one of our most trusted and valued partners in the fight against hunger,” said Blaine Bringhurst, Market 32 and Price Chopper president. “The need for sustained, dependable support has never been greater. This enhanced, multi-year commitment — the largest we’ve ever made — ensures the Food Bank has the resources to grow, innovate, and serve our neighbors with dignity and care. We are honored to stand beside them and commit even more resources to ensure the health, well-being, and strength of this region for years to come.”
This announcement comes as the Food Bank prepares for its Thanksgiving Distribution tomorrow, Saturday, November 22—the largest in New York State—and kicks off its annual Holiday Hunger Appeal, made possible with support from longstanding partner organizations.
“Our ability to fight hunger and support neighbors in need simply wouldn’t be possible without dedicated partners like Market 32 and Price Chopper,” said Tom Nardacci, CEO of the Regional Food Bank. “They have stood with us since the very beginning, and today we’re taking another significant step forward together—advancing innovative ways to combat hunger across our communities. At this especially important time of year, we’re deeply grateful for their leadership, their generosity, and their unwavering commitment to helping families who need it most.”
The strengthened partnership aligns with Market 32 Cares, the company’s commitment to advancing the health, stability, and vitality of the communities it serves. With demand for food assistance continuing to rise, this multi-year partnership ensures the Food Bank can provide families with fresh, nutritious food during the holidays and throughout the year.
Market 32 and Price Chopper and Customers Raise Over $57,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Association
Schenectady, N.Y., August 29, 2025– Thanks to the incredible generosity of customers and teammates, Market 32 and Price Chopper are proud to announce a total donation of $57,313.45 in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The recent in-store round-up campaign raised $47,313.45, and Market 32 and Price Chopper matched the fundraiser by providing an additional $10,000.00. The donation was revealed during a ceremonial check presentation at the Market 32 in Slingerlands, NY.
The campaign, which ran from July 1 – 31, invited customers to round up their change to the nearest dollar at checkout to help fund MDA’s critical work in accelerating research, enhancing care, and providing life-changing programs for children and adults living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases.
“We’re grateful to our customers and teammates who came together to make this campaign a success,” said Pam Cerrone, Market 32 and Price Chopper director of community relations. “Every dollar raised helps MDA continue its mission to transform lives through science and support.”
The money raised will help fund cutting-edge research leading to new treatments and therapies, nationwide care centers that provide multidisciplinary support, and MDA summer camps that offer life-changing experiences for kids with neuromuscular diseases.
“Market 32 and Price Chopper have been true partners to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, helping us advance research, fund multidisciplinary care through our nationwide MDA Care Center Network, and create life-changing opportunities like MDA Summer Camp for families we serve,” said Ruth Ann Dailey, the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s chief development officer. “In just the past two decades, more than 25 new treatments for neuromuscular conditions have been approved – progress made possible through the generosity of their leadership, employees, and customers. As we celebrate MDA’s 75th anniversary, we are deeply grateful for this enduring partnership and legacy of progress, and we look forward to continuing the momentum for families today and for generations to come.”
Market 32 and Price Chopper have a history of giving back to the communities they serve that dates back to their origins in 1932. This campaign is part of our ongoing effort to support organizations that advance health and wellness.
For Immediate Release
January 22, 2024
(SCHENECTADY and WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y.) As a part of the company’s strategic succession plan, Frank Curci, CEO of Northeast Grocery, Inc. (NGI), the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets, has announced his retirement. Following an internal and external search, John Persons, NGI’s chief operating officer, has been named by the NGI Board of Directors to succeed him, effective February 26, 2024.
“The 43 years I have spent in this business have been challenging and rewarding beyond measure and, without a doubt, the recent years spent planning and then bringing NGI to life have been some of the most gratifying. I’m delighted that John has been chosen to succeed me. He has been instrumental in our merger success to date, providing the necessary leadership over these past few years to position NGI for success. While John’s strategic mindset is poised to lead our multifaceted business day to day, he also possesses great vision for our path forward,” said Curci.
One of Curci’s accomplishments as NGI’s CEO has been to develop a team of seasoned executives across Tops, Price Chopper/Market 32, and Northeast Shared Services (a subsidiary of NGI providing services to both operating companies) capable of providing experienced leadership and fueling an internal succession plan. That plan ultimately led to the selection of Persons to succeed Curci.
Persons has served as NGI’s COO since June 2023, overseeing both the Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets operating companies, as well as Northeast Shared Services’ merchandising and marketing functions.
A 40-year industry veteran who started as a cashier at Tops and rose to the office of the president, Persons has spent his entire career with the Williamsville-based grocery chain and now NGI. During his tenure at Tops, he had oversight for various functions, including operations, merchandising, sales and marketing, real estate, information technology, and organizational strategy, all leading to his appointment as president in 2015. A Western New York native, Persons holds a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University at Buffalo.
“I am thrilled to lead NGI forward in collaboration with the talented teammates and associates at Northeast Shared Services, Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops who are dedicated to nourishing the communities we serve,” said Persons. “On behalf of all 30,000 of us, I’d like to express gratitude to Frank Curci for his leadership and mentorship over the years and reiterate my commitment to build on the momentum and success that he has fostered.”
About Northeast Grocery, Inc.
Headquartered in Schenectady, NY, Northeast Grocery, Inc. (NGI) is the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets, which collectively operate nearly 300 supermarkets across New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire and employ more than 30,000 associates/teammates.
Founded by New York families, Tops and Price Chopper/Market 32 have more than 150 years of industry leadership combined. Both companies share longstanding traditions of innovative food merchandising and exceptional customer service and are driven to provide sustainably sourced, high-quality products to nourish the communities in which they operate while reducing environmental waste and energy consumption. For additional information, please visit cms-uat-pch.unataops.com and www.topsmarkets.com.