Big Y News - Big Y® World Class Market™

SPRINGFIELD, MA (July 23, 2009) - Big Y Foods, Inc. is pleased to offer this week's harvest from native farms throughout their 57 markets. With stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut the markets are able to contract with local growers throughout the region. This week current local vegetables hail from:

Native corn: Meadowbrook Farms, East Longmeadow, MA, Baggott Farms in East Windsor, CT, Calabrese Farms, Southwick, MA, Larsons Farms, New Milford, CT, Reichle Farms, South Windsor, CT, and Williams Farm, Greenfield, MA

Snow Peas, Snap Peas, English Peas: Baggott Farms in East Windsor, CT, and Plainville Farms, South Hadley

Zucchini and summer squash: E. Cecchi Farms, Feeding Hills, MA and Calabrese Farms, Southwick, MA

Parsnips and radishes: Manheim Farms, South Deerfield, MA

Organic collards, kale, red, green and romaine lettuce and fresh assorted herbs: Happy Valley Organic Coop, East Whately, MA

Green beans: Fairweather Acres, Rocky Hill, CT

Big Y is committed to providing as many native fruits and vegetables as possible throughout the local growing season. According to Michael D'Amour, Vice President Fresh Foods, "We are fortunate to have so many local farmers partnering with us every year to provide our customers with the best produce in the region. Our local efforts have made a difference for our customers, our employees, and our community."

Headquartered in Springfield, MA, Big Y is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. Proud to be family owned and operated, they currently operate 57 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 9,100 employees. Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D'Amour, the store was named after an intersection in Chicopee, Massachusetts where two roads converge to form a "Y".