At Affiliated Foods Inc. (AFI), a member-owned cooperative headquartered in Amarillo, Texas, the value of community-focused manufacturing is front and center. Noma Burr, the company’s chief financial officer, has seen that impact firsthand since joining the organization in 1996.
Burr highlighted how AFI’s manufacturing subsidiaries – which include a bakery, dairy, meat processing plant and water bottling facility – contribute to both the co-op’s stability and its members’ success.
“These manufacturing subsidiaries provide over 260 jobs in our community, while our members get the advantage of high-quality products at better pricing and without waiting on suppliers,” Burr said.
Among the standout performers is Tri-State Bakery, which produces fresh white and wheat bread three to four times a week. In 2024, the bakery expanded operations to prepare for a specialty bread program set to launch in 2025.
“Implementation of that program will provide those freshly baked specialty breads while continuing our white and wheat breads at competitive pricing against national and regional brands,” Burr said. “The specialty breads will be Oats & Honey, Multi-Grain, Sourdough and Buttermilk White. Everybody’s very excited about that.”
Plains Dairy, another key subsidiary, has broadened its offerings beyond white and chocolate milk by adding bottled teas and lemonades under the Panhandle Pure brand.
“This further provides efficiencies at the plant that in turn ultimately reduces costs for our membership,” Burr said.
Panhandle Pure’s branding, first launched with AFI’s water bottling facility, has become a recognizable name in the region.
“Our water bottling plant, Panhandle Pure, opened in 2021 as a direct result from the unavailability of bottled water during the pandemic,” Burr said. “The Panhandle Pure brand continues to be recognized across our region. We expect this to be a growing sector in 2025.”
AFI’s meat processing operation, Affiliated Fresh Cuts, also experienced growth. In 2024, the plant began expanding to support a new value-added hamburger patty program expected to begin in 2025. The facility already handles case-ready and value-added beef, chicken and pork products.
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“That whole plant has been a huge help for the membership, because all they have to do is take it out and put it in their meat case,” Burr said. “It’s fresh and it’s flavorful, and they know it’s good quality. We’ve seen that business grow quite a bit from ‘23 into ‘24 and now.
“I think the biggest benefit to the membership is the fact that it’s going to give them better pricing, and they don’t have to wait on suppliers. They’re getting really good product faster and at a better price.”
Burr credits AFI’s enduring strength to its focus on members’ needs. The co-op serves a 10-state region and maintains close to zero percent attrition.
“A wholesaler’s success is only as good as its members’ success,” she said. “Our president and board of directors are always striving to provide the best and most complete services to the entire membership – so that all our independently owned stores in our 10-state area are as successful as possible.”
In addition to delivering groceries at a 96.8 percent service level, AFI provides its members with support services ranging from store engineering and resets to merchandising classes and a full-service print shop.
“These services, along with consistent patronage rebates each year, I believe are the key to our members’ loyalty and longevity with Affiliated Foods,” Burr said.
AFI’s leadership, she added, also plays a critical role in shaping that culture.
“The president and board, they are always wanting to make sure that they’re doing the best for the entire membership,” Burr said. “They are so good about taking off their owner hat and putting on their board member hat and making sure that the decisions we make are right for everybody. And I think that really shows.”
Burr’s own journey with Affiliated Foods is a testament to the company’s supportive environment.
“I walked in as a mom of a 4-year-old and kind of found my place,” she recalled. “I have since been married for 29 years and raised my family – a bunch of us have raised our families here. It’s a quiet but strong presence here in my community.”
The company’s culture of encouragement and purpose has been a defining element of her career.
“This allowed me to be everything that I wanted to be, and it taught me what encouragement and support can do for someone, to watch them grow,” Burr said. “And it made me want to do that for other people.”