Affiliated Foods Inc. of Amarillo, Texas, has joined the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) as a licensed distribution center, expanding access to IGA’s tools, resources and brand power for independent grocers in Texas and the western U.S.
As part of IGA’s wholesaler network, Affiliated Foods will offer participating retailers access to IGA’s programs in marketing and advertising, digital innovation, operations support, marketplace analysis, training and private label – tools designed to help local grocers compete while staying true to their community roots. Affiliated Foods will be authorized to support both IGA-branded and non-IGA-branded retail members throughout its service area.
“Affiliated Foods is exactly the kind of partner IGA was built for,” said John Ross, CEO of IGA. “They are retailer-owned, deeply committed to independent grocers, and focused every day on helping local operators compete against national and regional chains. Their addition strengthens IGA’s footprint in markets where we see tremendous opportunity.”
Founded in 1968 from a merger of Panhandle Associated Grocers and South Plains Associated Grocers, Affiliated Foods is a retailer-owned wholesale cooperative headquartered in Amarillo. The cooperative distributes a full range of grocery products, including fresh produce, meat, dairy, and baked goods, to more than 700 member stores and restaurants across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska and Arkansas. It also operates five subsidiaries: Plains Dairy, Tri State Baking Co., Panhandle Pure, Affiliated Fresh Cuts, and Produce Pre-Pak.
[RELATED: Affiliated Foods At 80: Cooperative’s Legacy Remains Rooted In Family]Beyond distribution, Affiliated Foods is known for its hands-on retailer support, including a practical training program that teaches meat-cutting and other high-service department skills using real equipment inside a full “dark store” environment at its warehouse. IGA plans to explore how this training model could inform future programming through the IGA Coca-Cola Institute.
“Becoming an IGA Licensed Distribution Center opens an exciting new chapter for Affiliated Foods and, more importantly, for the independent retailers we serve,” said Randy Arceneaux, president and CEO of Affiliated Foods.
“IGA’s programs in marketing, digital innovation, and private label give our members a meaningful competitive edge against the national chains, and that’s exactly what we’re here to provide. We built this cooperative on the belief that independent grocers are stronger together, and IGA is proof that belief scales. We couldn’t be more excited to bring this partnership to our 700-plus member stores.”