Grocery store inspection marks for Ithaca Wegmans, Walmart, Aldi, Tops

Jillian McCarthy, Ithaca Journal

Mon, December 22, 2025 at 10:07 AM UTC

2 min read

Grocery stores in Ithaca received food safety grades this year following surprise visits by inspectors with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

In Ithaca alone, more than 30 restaurants, grocery stores, corner stores and local food joints were inspected.

Following a sanitary inspection, the state inspector assigns the location an "A", "B", or "C" letter grade. An "A" grade means no critical deficiencies were found. A "B" grade means deficiencies were found, but were corrected during the inspection.

To get a "C" grade, the business has sanitary deficiencies that could not be corrected despite the "need for immediate corrective action," according to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. C grades are considered a critical deficiency that requires a second, unannounced visit.

If you want to know how your go-to grocery store did, here are the grades for Ithaca's largest chain grocery stores in recent data.

Trader Joe's Ithaca location at 744 S. Meadow St. received an "A" grade from the state inspectors.

Inspection grade for Ithaca Wegmans

The Ithaca Wegmans at 500 S Meadow St. was last inspected on March 28, 2024. The store received an "A" grade from the state inspector.

Inspection grades for Ithaca Aldi

The Aldi in Ithaca located at 505 3rd St., was inspected twice, once on March 11, 2024, and again on Jan. 21. The store received an "A" grade from the state inspector both times.

Inspection grades for Ithaca Tops

The Tops market in Ithaca located at 2300 N Triphammer Road was inspected twice, once on Jan. 9, 2024, and again on Dec. 5, 2024. The store received an "A" grade from the state inspectors on both occasions.

Inspection grades for Ithaca Trader Joe's

The Trader Joe's in Ithaca located at 744 S Meadow St. was inspected twice, once on Nov. 15, 2023, and again on Aug. 12, 2024. The store received an "A" grade from the state inspectors on both occasions.

Inspection grades for Ithaca Walmart

The Walmart in Ithaca located at 135 Fairgrounds Memorial Pkwy. was inspected three times.

On Dec. 12, 2023, the store received an "A" grade. It received another "A" grade on Oct. 3, 2024.

More recently, the store was given a "B" grade on Aug. 6. Inspectors noted finding mislabeled bread and poor temperature control in the deli area.

More: Holiday deer hunt is last chance for venison in New York. What to know

Inspection grades for Ithaca BJ's

The BJ's Wholesale Club in Ithaca located at 40 Graham Road W. was inspected three times by the state.

On Oct. 23, 2023, the location received an "A" grade. The store was again given an "A" on July 22, 2024.

More recently, the store received a "B" grade on July 7. Inspectors noted finding an inadequate automated sanitizing system and a soiled floor in the meat room walk-in.

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Ithaca Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Walmart, Tops, Aldi get sanitary grades

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