As part of its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, Belle Foods will sell its remaining 44 stores — including those in Brewton and Atmore — to help pay down its debt.

As part of the deal worked out in court, the current owners of Belle Foods — Bill and Jeff White — could bid on some of the stores, but C&S Wholesale Grocers will oversee the sales and will take the best offers for each store.

“At this point, this is the best way to serve our customers, preserve jobs for our employees and support our communities,” Bill White, owner and president of Belle Foods, said in a release. “We expect these stores to be sold as on-going operations and will work with any new owners to see that our people remain employed. We have some of the best and most experienced grocery professionals in the south working in our stores.”

White said the company’s focus is on employees.

“It would be great if Belle Foods were to exist in some form or fashion at the end of this process, but at this point, our focus is on our customers and teammates,” he said.