The Fresh Market Named Best Grocery Store in USA Today Awards
The North Carolina-based supermarket chain also received top honors for produce, deli, prepared foods, and bakery.
The Fresh Market has been voted the best grocery store in America in the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The Greensboro, North Carolina-based company also secured first place in the sub-categories for Best Produce, Best Deli, Best Prepared Foods, and Best Bakery.
Brian Johnson, president and CEO of The Fresh Market, expressed enthusiasm for the recognition, attributing the win to a combination of factors. "I really fell in love with the brand [from] day one," Johnson said in an interview. "We have a great team here at the Fresh Market."
Founded in 1982 by Ray and Beverly Berry, The Fresh Market was inspired by European food markets with the aim of offering a more intimate and personalized shopping experience. The company emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients, prepared foods, and hospitality. "When you buy a fresh product from us, you can be assured that our team has curated only the best, the freshest produce, the freshest-cut meat. We cut meat fresh in our store every day," Johnson stated. He noted that each store has multiple butchers on staff, ensuring customers receive the freshest available meat.
Customers have praised the store's offerings, with one noting, "the variety of veggies" in steam bags and remarking, "The produce area is always organized, neat, orderly and not a single spoiled thing in sight." Another customer highlighted the Peppercorn Steak Market meal kit.
Johnson highlighted the company's mission to make everyday eating extraordinary and easy, pointing to the ready-to-eat meals available. The Fresh Market currently operates over 170 locations across 22 states, with plans for future growth after opening five new stores in the past year.
Other grocery stores recognized in the USA Today rankings included Publix, Kroger, and ALDI. Customers cited Publix for its cleanliness and friendly staff, Kroger for its convenience and product selection, and ALDI for its affordability. Johnson thanked customers for their votes, stating, "We really don't take that for granted, and we really appreciate that... We feel very close to our guests... It's kinda like family."