Our Story

A Leader in Food Solutions Across the United States

At C&S, our focus is simple but meaningful: we help feed our families, our neighbors and our communities.

From our distribution centers and grocery stores to our corporate offices, every team member plays a role in delivering the food, products and support our customers count on every day.

It’s more than a job to us — it’s our legacy.

Built on Braggingly Happy Customers

For more than 107 years, we’ve helped shape the rapidly changing grocery industry — adapting, innovating and staying ahead of what customers need most. Today, our family of companies delivers innovative supply chain solutions, products and services to chain, independent and military customers from 60 distribution centers across the country. We also operate more than 200 corporate-run grocery stores primarily under trusted banners, including D&W® Fresh Market, Grand Union, Family Fare®, Martin’s Super Markets and Piggly Wiggly®.

As a distributor, wholesaler and retailer with a global supply chain network, we proudly serve national accounts, independent and chain grocers, e-commerce retailers, U.S. military commissaries and exchanges, and our own brick-and-mortar stores, pharmacies and fuel centers. Across every aisle — from fresh produce to household goods, including within our private label portfolio — we deliver quality, consistency and innovation at scale.

From coast to coast, our commitment remains the same: making sure shelves are stocked, helping businesses thrive and keeping our communities fed.

Rooted in a Family Legacy

1918

C&S Founded

C&S is founded by Israel Cohen and Abraham Siegel in Worcester, Mass.

1955

LESTER JOINS C&S

C&S moves to a 35,000-square foot facility; Israel's son Lester joins the company.

1958

C&S SEES GROWTH

C&S wins the Big D Supermarket account, signaling a transition from small independent stores to supermarket chains.

1974

RICK COHEN JOINS C&S

Lester's son Rick, current Executive Chairman, joins C&S.

1981

C&S EXPANDS TO VERMONT

C&S builds a 300,000-square foot warehouse and distribution complex in Brattleboro, V.T.

1993

C&S EXPANDS TO HATFIELD

C&S purchases a 350,000-square foot warehouse in South Hatfield, Mass. In the same year, C&S opened one of the largest freezers in the world in Westfield, Mass.

1997

C&S EXPANDS TO NEW YORK

C&S opens a warehouse facility in Newburgh, N.Y.

2000

C&S EXPANDS THROUGH ACQUISITION

C&S purchases assets of former Grand Union companies.

2003

C&S GOES COAST TO COAST

C&S purchases assets of former Fleming companies, including warehouses in Hawaii and California.

2014

C&S EXPANDS THROUGH ACQUISITION

C&S purchases the assets of Associated Wholesalers, Inc. (AWI) and Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co., expanding C&S's independent customer base in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. C&S also acquires Grocers Supply in Houston.

2015-16

C&S FURTHER EXPANDS INTO FRESH

C&S acquires The Davidson Specialty Food Group, expanding C&S's fresh customer base.

2018

C&S CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

2021

C&S EXPANDS INTO RETAIL MARKET

C&S purchases Piggly Wiggly® Midwest.

2022

RETAIL MARKET FOOTPRINT GROWS

C&S opens Grand Union stores in New York and Vermont, and one Piggly Wiggly® supermarket in New York state.

2025

C&S EXPANDS THROUGH M&A

C&S, as part of a consortium, purchases SEG.

2025

C&S COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF SPARTANNASH

C&S acquires SpartanNash, further expanding its footprint in the grocery industry.