EDITOR'S NOTE: Big Y plans to make antibiotics available for free to customers. The grocery chain provided the following description of its program:

SPRINGFIELD - Big Y Foods, Inc. will begin offering up to a 14-day supply of free antibiotics to customers starting July 23 from a list of 29 select generic antibiotics along with a customer's Express Savings Club Card.

For a list of eligible antibiotics, check their web site at www.bigy.com. This prescription program is available at any of Big Y's 33 pharmacies throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.

According to Big Y president and COO, Charles L. D'Amour, "with families struggling to afford healthcare, we are delighted to expand our free antibiotic program in advance of the cold and flu season. Along with our affordable generics program, this free antibiotics program is one more way that our Big Y health and wellness initiatives support our communities."

Headquartered in Springfield, Big Y is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. Proud to be family owned and operated, they operate 57 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 9,100 employees.

The company was founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D'Amour.