NORWALK – Cingari Family Markets has been recognized as an Exceptional Independent Grocer by The Shelby Report for the second consecutive year. The award honors independent U.S. grocery operators who lead with innovation, community focus, and resilience.
Cingari Family Markets, which has been in business since 1929, owns 10 ShopRite supermarkets and two specialty Cingari Grade A Markets in southwestern Connecticut.
The Shelby Report, which is published by Shelby Publishing, presented the award to Cingari Family Markets at the 2026 National Grocers Association show in Las Vegas on Feb. 2. It is one of 71 family-owned markets nationwide to win the award.
“We are honored to be recognized as an Exceptional Independent Grocer,” said Thomas Cingari Sr., president and CEO of Cingari Family Markets. “This recognition belongs to our incredible employees. Their pride and dedication to their work every day make it possible for us to deliver excellent service and quality to our customers. They’re the heart of our store, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Over the past year, the family-run business has worked steadily to renovate its store locations. That included renovations include new and expanded in-store offerings, contemporary decor, and new eco-friendly display cases and lighting. In addition, Cingari Family Markets continues to expand its popular private-label product lines.
Through the Cingari Family Foundation, the company has donated more than $5 million. Cingari Family Markets is a member of the retailer-owned supermarket cooperative Wakefern Food Corp., which is made up of many family-owned businesses.
The other recipients of the Exceptional Independent Grocer Awards are:
California: Arteaga’s Food Center – San Jose; Barons Market – Poway; Big Saver Foods – Vernon; Cambridge Farms – Valley Village; Chavez Supermarkets – Hayward; Jon’s Marketplace – Los Angeles; Lucerne Valley Market & Hardware – Lucerne Valley; Mollie Stone’s Markets – Mill Valley; Oliver’s Market – Santa Rosa; Superior Grocers – Santa Fe Springs; and Vallarta Supermarkets – Santa Clarita
Connecticut: Connecticut Food Association – West Hartford
Delaware: GE&Hockers – Bethany Beach
Florida: Publix Super Markets – Lakeland; and Sedano’s Supermarket – Hialeah
Georgia: Piggly Wiggly – Pooler
Guam: Pay-Less Markets, Inc. – Hagåtña
Hawaii: KTA Stores – Hilo; and Okimoto Corp. (The Waianae Store/Nanakuli Super/Friendly Market Center) – Waianae
Illinois: Dave’s Supermarket – Fairbury; Potash Markets – Chicago; and Sunset Foods – Highland Park
Indiana: Baesler’s Market – Terre Haute; and Strack & Van Til – Highland
Iowa: Fareway Foods – Johnston
Kansas: Cosentino’s Food Stores – Overland Park
Kentucky: Houchens Food Group – Bowling Green
Louisiana: Associated Grocers Inc. – Baton Rouge; Lamendola’s Supermarket – Gonzales; and StPierre Supermarket (dba Delaune’s Supermarket) – St. Amant
Maine: P&L Market/Bradford General Store/George’s Banana Stand/Solon Corner Market – Dexter
Massachusetts: Market Basket – Tewksbury
Michigan: Daily Deals Food Outlet – Marne; GreenTree Co-op Market – Mount Pleasant; Oleson’s Food Stores – Traverse City; Pat’s Foods IGA – Houghton; Plum Market – Farmington Hills; and Polly’s Country Markets – Jackson
Minnesota: A Clean Plate Local & Organic Grocery – Menahga; Coborn’s, Inc. – Saint Cloud; and Super One Foods – Hermantown
Mississippi: Brooks Grocery Co. – Tupelo; and Grocery Basket – Grenada
Missouri: Schnuck Markets – St. Louis
Nebraska: B&R Stores – Lincoln
New Jersey: Allegiance Retail Services – Iselin; Food Depot & Extra Supermarkets – Newark; and Seabra Foods – Newark
New York: Gristedes – New York; and Lincoln Market – Brooklyn
Ohio: Fresh Encounter, Inc. – Findlay
Oregon: Chester’s Markets – John Day; McKay’s Markets – Coos Bay; and Rudy’s Markets Inc. – Bend
Pennsylvania: Elias Farmers Market – Allentown; Karns Quality Foods – Mechanicsburg; and Kinsley’s ShopRite of Brodheadsville – Brodheadsville
Rhode Island: Clements Marketplace – Bristol; and Clements’ Marketplace – Portsmouth
Tennessee: Turnip Truck Natural Market – Nashville
Texas: Border Town – Roma; Brookshire Grocery Co. – Tyler; Camino A Verte Supermarket – McAllen; Lewis Food Town – Houston; Pay and Save Inc. (dba Lowe’s Market/Food King/Lowe’s Mercado/Lowe’s Signature) – Littlefield; Savers Cost Plus – Irving; and Teloloapan Meat Market – Houston
Washington: Rosauers Markets – Spokane
Wisconsin: Piggly Wiggly Midwest – Sheboygan; Piggly Wiggly Store 191 – Kenosha; Piggly Wiggly Store 272 – Union Grove; and Trig’s – Rhinelander
