America’s Food Basket’s model for success

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A growing business

America’s Food Basket is a regional cooperative whose stores operate under the America’s Food Basket, Ideal Food Basket and Super Fi Emporium banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

In the past few years, AFB has grown from 26 stores to 47, with three locations scheduled to open between now and January.

“We have a lot more growing to do in 2017,” said AFB CEO Dan Cabassa.

Sampling station

At a recent customer appreciation event, an Ideal Food Basket in Corona, N.Y., sampled private label cheese and orange juice.

Neighborhood noshes

Cabassa said each store is tailored to the neighborhood it serves.

“We have an extremely diverse clientele,” he said.

Healthy snacks

AFB’s private label brand Ideal Brands includes products in grocery, dairy and fresh departments.

On a roll

The Ideal brand features a variety of breads, such as these hot dog rolls.

Fresh first

At an Ideal Market Basket in Baldwin, N.Y., the produce department is the first thing customers see when they enter the store.

Catch of the day

The Baldwin store also has a full-service seafood department.

In the bag

AFB’s stores range in size from 5,000 to 20,000 square feet.

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