Kyra Robinson | Contributing Writer
After making a deal worth $43 million, Supervalu Inc. the parent company of the Farm Fresh grocery chain, has begun the process of selling 21 of its 38 stores to Kroger Mid-Atlantic, Harris Teeter, and Food Lion.
With these sales, many Farm Fresh stores will be closed for several months, renovated and reopened under the names Kroger, Harris Teeter, or Food Lion.
Sophomore Imani Broaden recently visited a Farm Fresh for the first time to take advantage of a 30% off sale.
“I had never really heard about Farm Fresh, but my friend was going so I went with her,” the sophomore said Saturday afternoon, “It will be interesting to see what store replaces it.”
According to The Virginian-Pilot, Supervalu Inc. announced in March that they would be going through with the sales. There are a significant number of Farm Fresh stores in Hampton Roads, one which is only seven minutes from Hampton University’s campus.
Sophomore Nia Saunders heard about the liquidation through her grandparents who shop at Farm Fresh occasionally.
“It won’t really have an effect on me,” she said Saturday morning, “The prices aren’t really college-friendly. Most people would probably go to Walmart instead.”
Farm Fresh dominated the Hampton Roads community for decades, according to multiple news outlets. Their headquarters are even located in Virginia Beach.
“I don’t think customers will be that bothered by it,” Saunders continued, “There are so many other grocery stores to pick from in Hampton.”
The Daily Press reported that Supervalu planned to sell eight stores to Kroger, 10 stores to Harris Teeter, owned by Kroger and three to Food Lion.
It is not clear how current Farm Fresh employees feel about the liquidation, but there has been a number of layoffs announced since the process began. Farm Fresh stores employed hundreds of people in the Peninsula area, and nearly 1,000 people could be out of work after the sale of so many stores, according to The Daily Press.
With 21 stores already sold, there are still plans to sell the remaining 17 stores. Food Lion has purchased the Farm Fresh store in Phoebus, the grocery store closest to campus.
The Hampton Script 