For the second year in a row, Wakefern Food Corp. cooperative members Cingari Family Markets and Kinsley Market [ShopRite of Brodheadsville] were among those recognized in Shelby Publishing’s Exceptional Independent Grocer Awards program.
Presented at the National Grocers Association (NGA) Show in Las Vegas on Feb. 24, the awards shine a light on independent grocers that have made exceptional contributions to the communities they serve and invested in their stores and employees.
Cingari Family Markets, a family-owned and -operated Connecticut-based supermarket company, has 10 ShopRite supermarkets and two specialty markets – also named Cingari Family Markets.
The Cingaris, who represent the third and fourth generations in the family-run business, were honored for their continued store investment as they renovate all 12 locations with new and expanded offerings and modern décor. The Cingaris also were recognized for their commitment to sustainability and community.
The renovated stores incorporate eco-friendly cases and lighting. They also reduce waste in innovative ways, including composting organic material that is converted to energy to power local homes and businesses.
In addition, the company focuses on inventory management and food donations to reduce its waste stream by more than 60 percent.
The Cingari Family Foundation has donated more than $5 million to local organizations, with donations to Connecticut food banks and area hospitals.
The family also contributes $500,000 annually to support local schools, sports teams and first responders. The foundation also hosts a golf outing that raises nearly $2.5 million for charitable organizations.
“We are deeply honored to be recognized as an exceptional independent grocer,” said Thomas Cingari Sr., president and CEO of Cingari Family Markets. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible employees, who make it possible for us to deliver exceptional service and quality to our customers every day. Their commitment to excellence is what truly makes our ShopRite and Cingari Family Market stores exceptional, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team.”
The Kinsley family, operators of the ShopRite of Brodheadsville in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, have shared a commitment to their neighbors since the 1950s. What started as Kinsley Market, a meat market run by Clayton Kinsley in Scotrun, Pennsylvania, has become one of the most visible family-run grocery stores in the area.
In 2023, the ShopRite of Brodheadsville unveiled a 10-acre solar array with nearly 4,300 panels adjacent to the store. The system is expected to supply nearly 90 percent of the store’s energy needs.
The store also meets EPA GreenChill Gold standards for sustainable refrigeration, using only non-ozone-depleting refrigerants.
Christopher Kinsley Sr., president of the ShopRite of Brodheadsville, has said the solar array and other green technologies at the store reaffirm a commitment to sustainability and are the right things to do for the community.
The ShopRite of Brodheadsville has been among the top fundraising stores for ShopRite’s annual ShopRite Partners In Caring Cheerios Contest, raising nearly $50,000 for local food banks in 2024.
The Kinsleys also are longtime supporters of dozens of local organizations, including the Salvation Army, the American Cancer Society, Red Cross, March of Dimes, Operation Touch of Home and nearby churches, sports teams, fire departments and food pantries.
“I am happy to accept this award on behalf of the entire Kinsley family, as well as our team at the ShopRite of Brodheadsville,” Kinsley said. “This honor reflects our commitment to providing exceptional service and supporting families in need in our community. Everything we’ve accomplished wouldn’t be possible without the heart and soul of everyone on our team.”
Shelby Publishing also recognized Cingari Family Markets and Kinsley Market for their investment in store teams.
Recognized as a Top Workplace in Connecticut by Hearst CT Media, the Cingari family provides associates with comprehensive professional training and certifications, including CPR classes. And the Kinsleys offer team members the opportunity to take courses at a local community college and provide a $5,000 scholarship to a star associate each year.
[RELATED: Wakefern – Powering Success Of Membership For Nearly Eight Decades]
About Wakefern Food Corp.
From a small, local cooperative that began with eight grocery store owners, Wakefern Food Corp. has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States.
Founded in 1946, the cooperative comprises nearly 50 member families that today independently own and operate hundreds of supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, Di Bruno Bros. banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.