Fresh & Green’s Stores Closing

The Natural Markets Food Group (NMFG), parent company of Fresh & Green’s grocery stores, will shutter the banner's six stores, in the District of Columbia and Maryland, by the end of December.

NMFG acquired the former Superfresh stores from the Montvale, N.J.-based Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) in 2011 and reopened them under the Fresh & Green’s banner, operating one location in the District and five others in Baltimore, Chestertown, Arnold, Brunswick and Cambridge, Md.

“This was a very difficult business decision,” noted Robin S. Michel, CEO of Irvington, N.Y.-based NMFG, of the closing. “Since the Natural Markets Food Group acquired Fresh & Green’s, we have worked diligently to create a sustainable business model for the stores. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the stores remained unprofitable. Closing stores is never easy, given the impact on employees and the communities they serve … but there are times when it is necessary, and this is such a time. We’ve reached the point at which continuing to operate these stores does not make financial sense for the company. We are very appreciative of the work done by the employees who have worked at the Fresh & Green’s store locations, some for many years, and we pledge our commitment to provide assistance to them.”

According to the banner's website, the Fresh & Green’s concept aimed to “expand the selection of prepared meals and natural foods while still providing all the conventional food products and brands [shoppers] have enjoyed in the past."