Nash Finch was involved in food distribution to private companies, primarily independent supermarkets, and military commissaries and the operation of retail stores.

[1] In the late 1880s, Edgar and Willis, the brothers, joined Fred in opening a fruit distribution business.

[1] In 1904, the Nash brothers made their first acquisition of a wholesale distributor in Minot, North Dakota, while Finch acquired a warehouse in Grand Forks.

[1] In the 1950s, Nash Finch expanded its customer list to include corporate-owned chains to their existing independent mom-and-pop grocers.

Spartan retained 57.7% of the combined company while Nash owns 42.3% of the approximately 38 million outstanding stock shares.

[5] Nash Finch served the retail grocery industry and the military commissary and exchange systems.

Nash Finch Company's core business, food distribution, served independent retailers and military commissaries in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Azores and Egypt.

[6] Nash Finch also operated retail stores under the banners Avanza Supermarket, Bag 'N Save, Econofoods, Family Fresh Market, Family Thrift Center, No Frills Supermarkets (United States), Pick 'n Save, Prairie Market, SunMart Foods, Savers Choice, Wholesale Food Outlet, and Piggly Wiggly.