From the products shoppers are adding to their carts to the new items appearing on store shelves, food trends continue to influence the grocery business. While every market is different, several trends are gaining momentum across the industry and creating opportunities for retailers. Industry research and shopper data, shared by Associated Food Stores, point to […]
Category: Associated Food Stores
Since 1940, Associated Food Stores have been advocating for independent grocers throughout the Intermountain West. In that time, membership has grown from 34 independent grocers to over 400 today; operating a 1-million-square-foot warehouse in Farr West, Utah; and the integration of new technologies in the grocery industry.
Strong competition from national chains, increased prices from wholesalers and low margins left many families and independently owned businesses with boarded windows. Determined to succeed against the competition, 34 independent retailers and Donald P. Lloyd, the then president of the Utah Grocers Association, joined together to combine their buying power and open a warehouse, leading to the birth of AFS.
We have since grown from 34 retailers in Utah to nearly 450 independent grocers across Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Oregon.
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Featured News, News, West
AFS’ Pettit Named To Utah Food Bank Board Of Directors
Sarah Pettit, director of public affairs at Associated Food Stores (ARS), has been named to the Utah Food Bank Board of Directors. Her appointment comes as the Utah Food Bank continues expanding its reach across the state to meet growing demand. Pettit leads government affairs and public affairs efforts for AFS and has long been […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Featured News, News, West
Lee’s Marketplace Hosts America’s Potluck Kickoff With UT First Lady Cox
Lee’s Marketplace hosted the kickoff event for America’s Potluck on June 4 at its Foxborough location in North Salt Lake City, Utah, bringing together state leaders, community voices and local influencers to celebrate connection and shared meals. The evening set the stage for the nationwide initiative taking place July 5, which encourages people across the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Featured News, News, West
AFS Collects 165K Pounds Of Food In UT Statewide Drive
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 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
Kent’s Market Hosts Meals For Military Event On Armed Forces Day
Kent’s Market commemorated Armed Forces Day by hosting its annual Meals for Military event in partnership with Operation Homefront, Associated Food Stores (AFS) and dozens of national and local vendors. On May 16, volunteers lined up to greet more than 400 military families, many of whom are lower-income service members stationed at nearby Hill Air […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
AFS Receives Instacart’s Wholesaler Partnership Award
Associated Food Stores received the Wholesaler Partnership Excellence Award at Instacart’s 2026 Independent Grocer Award Winners ceremony held during the recent NGA Show. The Salt Lake City-based wholesaler was recognized for its collaboration with Instacart throughout the onboarding process and hands-on approach to supporting the transition to Storefront Pro and Storefront platforms. Onboarding a retailer […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Finance News, News, West
Dick’s Market Featured In Nationwide Film “STANDOUT”
Dick’s Market in Centerville, Utah, served as a filming location for “STANDOUT: The Ben Kjar Story,” a feature film that opened Jan. 23 in theaters nationwide and won the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival. The film chronicles the life of Ben Kjar, a Utah native born with Crouzon syndrome who became a three-time state wrestling champion, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
AFS Adds GoSpotCheck By Form To Expand Shelf Intelligence
Associated Food Stores (AFS) has added GoSpotCheck by FORM to its retail technology portfolio, deploying the mobile task management platform across its cooperative network of more than 450 independent supermarkets and 41 corporate stores. The move is part of AFS’s ongoing digital transformation and its increased focus on store-level data capture and merchandising execution. The […]