The grocer donated $2,000 to local schools to help address food insecurity as students head back to class.
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 inNews, Associated Food Stores, Featured News, Independent Store News, West
Macey’s Celebrating Lehi Remodel With Weeklong Celebration
The Utah store stayed open during the remodeling process, which touched virtually all areas of the store.
Posted inMerchandising News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
Five Food Trends Shaping The Grocery Market In 2026
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 […]
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 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, West
Kent’s Market, AFS, Community Partners Donate $74K To Shriners
Kent’s Market, together with Swire Coca-Cola, Associated Food Stores (AFS) and other community partners, donated more than $74,000 to Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City. The donation was presented Dec. 9 at a holiday event at the hospital, where retailers and partners spent time visiting with patients and families and learning more about the specialized pediatric […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
AFS’ Sam Patch Celebrates Grand Opening In Wellsville, UT
Associated Food Stores (AFS) recently celebrated the grand opening of a new 23,000-square-foot Sam Patch convenience store at 825 E. Main St. in Wellsville, Utah. Owned by Mike Baldwin of Wellsville and Jason Hurd of Tremonton, the store offers fresh food, groceries and fuel for residents in the southern part of Cache Valley. The site […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
AFS, Lee’s Marketplace Open Bella’s Market In Vineyard, UT
Bella’s Market drew more than 1,000 people to its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 17 at 875 N. Main St. in Vineyard, Utah, where it was welcomed as the first grocery store in the 700-acre mixed-use master-planned community on the eastern shore of Utah Lake. Vendors including Kodiak Cakes, Café Ibis, Certified Angus Beef […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Food Stores, News, West
AFS Expands Instacart Solutions To Member Retailers, Banners
Utah-based Associated Food Stores (AFS) is bringing Instacart’s white-label e-commerce solutions Storefront and Storefront Pro to its owned and operated banners, including Fresh Market, Lin’s and Macey’s, and independent member stores, including Broulim’s, Davis Food & Drug, Kent’s and Lee’s, providing them with e-commerce and retail media capabilities “We’re excited to partner with AFS to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Grocery Store Layout, News, West
Dan’s Foothill Celebrates Grand Reopening In Salt Lake City, UT
Dan’s Foothill in Salt Lake City, Utah, gathered employees, vendors and guests Oct. 8 in an upper parking lot overlooking the store to celebrate its grand reopening. Director of Construction and Maintenance Jan Whiteley, Regional Director Chris Otteson, VP of Retail Operations Greg Welling and Dan’s Foothill Store Director Janel Grangroth shared their appreciation for […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, News, West, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Associated Food Stores Raises $85K For Make-A-Wish Utah
Associated Food Stores partnered with Make-A-Wish Utah to raise funds that help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. This year’s campaign raised $84,943.73 – $3,000 more than last year’s total – with employees at Macey’s, Lin’s, Dan’s, Dick’s Market and Fresh Market helping lead the effort, collecting donations in-store and online. Each location […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, West
Reynolds Market Celebrates 100 Years Of Serving Montana Communities
Reynolds Market is marking a major milestone this year as it celebrates 100 years in business. What started in 1925 as a small grocery store in Glendive has grown into a trusted name in eastern Montana, known for its strong community ties, reliable service and commitment to customers. “This milestone reflects generations of hard work, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Associated Food Stores, News, West, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AFS Shares Executive Promotions As White Prepares For New URM Role
Following the news that EVP and COO Roger White will be leaving the company in June to become the next CEO of URM Stores Inc., Salt Lake City-based Associated Food Stores (AFS) has announced the promotions of three executives. The appointments, which will take effect following White’s departure, include: Glen Keysaw will become EVP of […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Food Stores, West
AFS Begins Distribution Center Automation Project With Symbotic
Associated Food Stores (AFS) and Symbotic Inc. have begun a warehouse modernization initiative at AFS’ Utah distribution center that will transform it into a next-generation facility equipped to meet future demands. The project also advances the wholesaler’s 85-year commitment to efficiency and service for nearly 500 independent grocers in the Intermountain West Symbotic’s end-to-end automation system, with robotic […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Food Stores, West
AFS Selects Procurant For FSMA 204 Rule Compliance
Salt Lake City, Utah-based Associated Food Stores (AFS) has selected Procurant, a collaborative software platform for retail grocers, to be a core component of its compliance solution for FSMA 204 rule reporting and traceability. The selection enables AFS to meet the FDA’s enhanced food safety requirements, set to take effect in January 2026, using Procurant’s […]