Lipari Foods has been selected as the Wisconsin Grocers Association‘s 2026 Vendor of the Year, one of the association’s highest honors. The news was shared with the company’s leadership team, including CEO Stuart Schuette, during a company meeting Aug. 5.
The award recognizes vendors that go beyond sales and product delivery to help WGA members grow, innovate and succeed while contributing to the strength of Wisconsin’s grocery industry.
Lipari’s origins go back to 1938, when founder Jim Lipari began learning about the grocery business working at his father’s store, Maria’s Market, in Detroit. Today, Lipari Foods has grown into one of the nation’s leading independent food distributors, serving independent grocers throughout the Midwest. It carries a broad selection of international, dairy, deli, bakery, frozen and specialty products, giving retailers access to brands from around the world to help meet the evolving tastes of their customers.
Lipari also has been a longtime WGA partner, supporting the association’s programs and events.
“We are incredibly humbled, honored and grateful to receive the 2026 Vendor of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Grocers Association,” said Nick Lenzi, SVP of marketing for Lipari Foods. “We are especially grateful to Piggly Wiggly Midwest for the nomination. We truly value our partnerships with Wisconsin grocers and appreciate their continued support.”
Commitment to success honored
Mike Semmann, president and CEO of the WGA, emphasized the significance of the award.
“Lipari Foods has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the success of the grocery industry and the membership of the Wisconsin Grocers Association,” Semmann said. “Their investment in our events, support of our programs and commitment to independent grocers exemplify what it means to be a true industry partner. Lipari Foods has earned this recognition, and we are pleased to honor them as our 2026 Vendor of the Year.”
Lipari Foods will be officially recognized at the 2026 WGA Innovation Expo on Aug. 18 at the Wilderness Resort Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells.
About WGA
Established in 1900, WGA is a nonprofit trade association representing independent grocers and grocery chains, warehouses, brokers, vendors, suppliers and manufacturers before all levels of government. The association represents nearly 350 independent grocers with multiple locations across the state of Wisconsin, along with more than 200 retail grocery chain stores, warehouses and distributors, convenience stores, food brokers and suppliers.
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