Tops Friendly Markets readies stores for holiday traditions

For over 60 years, local shoppers have relied on Tops as their go-to source for essential ingredients & helpful savings for memorable holiday meals

Tops Friendly Markets Press Release 

Tops Friendly Markets has prepared its over 150 stores for the holidays, stocking shelves with essential ingredients for classic holiday dishes and launching timely sales to help ease some of the stress that comes with creating festive feasts.

“Across the communities we serve, Tops has become the place where family traditions begin – where shoppers find all they need to make the holiday meals they’ve enjoyed for generations. We consider it part of our responsibility to our communities,” Tops President Ron Ferri said. “From making pierogi or ravioli together while listening to Christmas music, to holding your annual cookie swap in ugly holiday sweaters, to enjoying a glass of eggnog or coquito after decorating the tree, we’re here to help with holiday traditions that are important to your family.”

Several savings opportunities and in-store efforts are now underway to help local shoppers during the holidays.

Helpful holiday savings

This week, Tops is offering special savings for families looking to plan ahead for their holiday meals. Across its stores, shoppers will find a “Family Holiday Ham Meal Deal” that will provide a savings of more than $29. With purchase of a Sugardale bone-in half ham, shoppers can receive 12 items to complete the meal for free – including Main St. Bistro Macaroni & Cheese, Idahoan Potatoes, Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, Libby’s Pineapple and Tops Steamable Vegetables. The deal is available through Saturday, Dec. 14, with more specials planned for the weeks ahead.

For busy families in a rush, Tops also offers fresh-prepared ham dinners and turkey dinners with several sides and desserts, feeding 8-10 people. To place an order for a fully prepared family meal, visit www.topsmarkets.com or stop by the Carry Out Café at your nearest Tops store.

Additional savings opportunities include Tops advent calendar offering over $25 in extra savings on holiday favorites; and Tops Christmas Bonus, which provides $10 in savings on $50 gift cards for a variety of stores, restaurants and more.

Holiday essentials for family traditions

While every family has their own unique traditions, many are shared locally. For example, the ringing bells and red kettles of The Salvation Army have long welcomed shoppers to Tops during the holiday season. It’s a tradition that makes a difference. Last year alone, Tops helped raise $1 million through the annual Red Kettle campaign thanks to the generosity of customers and company associates.

Many common traditions are also found on holiday dinner tables. For the main course, Tops in-store, certified butchers are available to assist with custom cuts and other special requests to help home chefs prepare the perfect holiday meal for their guests.

Tops stores are well-stocked with the most in-demand holiday meat options, such as standing rib roast, roast turkey, pork roast, baked ham and sausages. These selections are complemented by seafood offerings, with lobster, shrimp, salt cod and more available at local stores.

For families that celebrate with traditional pasta and dumpling dishes, Tops has pre-prepared and essential ingredients for lasagna, pierogi, tamales and ravioli.

Tops bakery is also busy making fresh-made desserts for every celebration, from office holiday parties to big feasts with family and friends. At Tops, shoppers will find freshly baked classics like bûche de Noël or yule log, popovers or Yorkshire pudding, gingerbread, panettone, peppermint bark, mince pies, and more. Additional desserts and classic candies like candy canes and caramels are available in store aisles.

Harder-to-find ingredients for traditional dishes

For many, the holidays aren’t complete without those centerpiece dishes that are based on family recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation – but those recipes often contain hard-to-find yet crucial ingredients. Local Tops stores can help.

Among the hundreds of harder-to-find holiday ingredients that shoppers will find at Tops:

√ Chestnuts (whole to roast) and water chestnuts

√ Cranberries

√ Mint and mint jelly

√ Almond paste

√ Mincemeat 

√ Marzipan

√ Condensed milk and evaporated milk

√ Tapioca

√ Yeast

√ Buttermilk

√ Cream of tartar

√ A variety of extracts – vanilla, almond, peppermint, orange

√ Anise and whole allspice berries

√ Dried and candied fruits

√ Dried, or chipped, beef

√ Farmers cheese and ricotta cheese 

√ Cinnamon sticks

√ Molasses 

√ Capers

√ Pepper jelly

√ Black eyed peas 

√ Collard greens

√ Hominy

√ Marshmallows and marshmallow cream

√ Pimentos

√ Cocktail franks

√ Pomegranates and pomegranate juice

√ Tart cherry juice

√ Poppy seeds and sesame seeds 

√ Espresso powder 

To see the best deals in town, plus great tips and recipe inspiration for holiday feasts, visit www.TopsMarkets.com.

Headquartered in Williamsville, Tops Markets operates a robust network of 152 grocery stores spanning New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, including one franchise location in Lewiston. Discover more at www.topsmarkets.com.