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 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.
“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.
“Our mission reflects a deep commitment to the communities we serve, especially those who face food insecurity,” Pettit said. “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.”
[RELATED: AFS Receives Instacart’s Wholesaler Partnership Award]
