United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) recognized five high-performing retailers of various sizes during its second Spring and Summer Selling Show of 2025 in Orlando, Florida. These retailers are driving growth, innovation and community impact across the grocery retail industry.
In a live ceremony on Feb. 12, UNFI’s second annual Customer Circle of Excellence Awards honored the following retailers in the East region:
- Local Independent Performance Award – AML Foods
- AML Foods is a leading retailer in the Bahamas that partners with UNFI on a number of programs. With recent remodels, AML Foods has added new offerings across departments and is poised to open another store later this year. About 80 percent of its customers are on their loyalty program.
- Local Independent Impact Award – Healthy Living Markets
- Healthy Living Markets focuses on issues of global and local concern, including compostable containers, cutlery, lids and produce bags. The retailer is committed to a supportive, flexible workplace with incentives for employee sustainability activities. Its stores are powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
- Regional/National Chain Performance Award – America’s Food Basket
- America’s Food Basket has posted impressive growth over the past year. The retailer has been a key partner in UNFI’s Tropical Produce program and continues to gain market share in the North and Southeast through a variety of initiatives, including a focus on multicultural offerings.
- Regional National Chain Impact Award – The Fresh Market
- The Fresh Market has a reputation for contributing to the community and fostering meaningful connections with local organizations and businesses. From hunger relief and employee engagement to local sourcing and inclusivity in product offerings, The Fresh Market is making a difference through its programs and partnerships.
- National Chain Performance Award – DoorDash
- DoorDash is a technology company that connects consumers with their favorite local businesses in more than 30 countries across the globe. It also empowers emerging brands, supporting virtual storefronts and allowing small businesses to thrive on a national scale by utilizing the DashMart network.
“With thousands of retail banners and countless outstanding achievements across our diverse network, it’s nearly impossible to choose just five winners for our annual Customer Circle of Excellence Awards,” said Mark Bushway, president of natural, organic, specialty and fresh products and UNFI chief supply chain officer.
“These retailers, each with unique value propositions, are driving growth, innovation and impact in ways that inspire our industry to be better every day. We look forward to recognizing more of our valued customers and suppliers during our Holiday and Winter Selling Shows later this year.”
UNFI’s Spring and Summer Selling Show in Orlando brought together more than 4,500 attendees, connecting 2,300 retailers with nearly 900 supplier brands from Feb. 10-12. Exhibitors showcased thousands of unique items, including 50 new-to-market products, spanning the natural, organic, fresh, specialty and conventional grocery categories.
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During the show, UNFI leaders also highlighted innovative capabilities the company is building to help retailers effectively differentiate and compete in an increasingly dynamic market. For example, as preference toward private label brands continues to grow, with 95 percent of Americans using them, the UNFI Brands+ team discussed top strategies to help retailers drive increased traffic, loyalty and sales. Best practices included maximizing private brand assortment, expanding premium private brand offerings and amplifying in-store marketing.
In UNFI’s latest Pitch Slam competition, emerging suppliers in the company’s UpNext program once again showcased their innovative new products to a live audience of their peers and retail buyers.
“Halfday Prebiotic Iced Tea is ushering in a new era of iced tea with low sugar, gut-healthy and functional benefits while keeping the classic iced tea taste you know and love,” said Luke Ledyard, VP of sales and distribution for Halfday, winner of UNFI’s 2025 Orlando Pitch Slam. “UNFI’s UpNext program has provided incredible value as we work to scale our business and introduce more consumers to the benefits of Halfday.”
At its Winter and Holiday Selling Shows in July, UNFI will host Customer Circle of Excellence Awards for retailers representing the West and Central regions, along with the National Supplier Circle of Excellence Awards.
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