Associated Food Stores (AFS) and its network of independent retailers played a pivotal role in the 2026 Feed Utah Food Drive, collecting 165,443 pounds of food – more than half of the statewide total.
The fifth annual drive, held in March, brought communities across Utah together to fight hunger. Food insecurity affects one in five Utah children and 445,000 people across the state, according to the Utah Food Bank.
AFS, a cooperatively-owned wholesale distributor, mobilized its Associated Retail Operations (ARO) locations along with Lee’s Marketplace, Bella’s Market, Davis Food & Drug, Peterson’s Fresh Market and Stewart’s Marketplace to serve as community drop-off points. The combined collection from these independent grocers pushed the entire Feed Utah drive to a total of 801,331 pounds collected across all partners.
“We appreciate the many team members at retail and wholesale who made this effort possible,” said Sarah Pettit, director of public affairs for AFS.
The cooperative’s wholesale drivers also contributed extra time and resources to help stock local food pantries. AFS noted that as inflation and economic pressure continue, the company remains focused on fighting hunger through logistics, advocacy and community engagement.
“Enriching lives, one grocer, one family and one meal at a time,” Pettit said.
“Our mission reflects a deep commitment to the communities we serve, especially those who face food insecurity. Together, through the 2026 Feed Utah Food Drive, we helped feed families in our communities. I am grateful to the many store teams, as well as our AFS drivers who contributed extra time and resources to help stock local food pantries. What we are doing is making a difference.”
For independent grocers, the success of the Feed Utah drive demonstrates how small, community‑based retailers can work together to amplify their impact. While no single independent store may have the scale of a national chain, a cooperative network can mobilize hundreds of locations. The model – using retail stores as drop‑off points, leveraging wholesale logistics for transport and partnering with a state food bank – is replicable in other regions. Grocers in communities facing similar rates of food insecurity might consider a similar partnership with their local food bank, especially during seasonal low‑inventory periods.
[RELATED: AFS Receives Instacart’s Wholesaler Partnership Award]
