United Natural Foods Inc. has completed its 2023 schedule of shows and events, concluding Sept. 28 with its 2023 UNFI Natural Winter Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Throughout the two-day event, more than 2,000 attendees connected with UNFI’s community of suppliers, offering an assortment across grocery, fresh, organic and specialty departments. The show also featured […]
Category: Wholesaler/Distributor News
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Northeast, Supply Chain News
UNFI Names 2023 ‘Elite Drivers Of The Year’
As part of its Driver Ambassador Program, Providence, Rhode Island-based UNFI has recognized four of its employees as 2023 “Elite Drivers of the Year,” presenting each with $10,000. In addition, each of their respective distribution centers received a premium, UNFI-branded Navistar LT625 tractor to use for deliveries during the next year. The drivers and their […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Grocers, Inc., Southeast
Associated Grocers Awards 10 GMRA Scholarships
Associated Grocers of Baton Rouge has announced the 2023 Associated Grocers GMRA Scholarship Fund recipients. The Associated Grocers/GMRA partnership scholarship program aids students working within AG retail member stores. Recipients receive $1,000 the first year ($500 per semester) and $3,000 for each of the following three years ($1,500 per semester) that they remain there. The […]
Posted inExecutive News, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Maffie Named Chief Information Officer At UNFI
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has appointed Mario Maffie as chief information officer to lead its IT team, oversee network systems integration and help accelerate the use of data and insights. Maffie, who begins his new role Oct. 2, will report to Erin Horvath, chief operating officer. Maffie joins UNFI after having spent […]
Posted inExecutive News, Amazon Fresh, Merchandising News, Midwest, Whole Foods, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Elevates Morgan To EVP, CMO
Citing his leadership skills, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has promoted Bennett Morgan to EVP and chief merchandising officer. Morgan, who joined SpartanNash in January 2022 as SVP and chief merchandising officer, leads fresh, center store and pharmacy merchandising, pricing, promotions and category and master data management. “Bennett’s leadership has advanced our capabilities in merchandising and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Northeast, Private Label Brands
Wakefern Shares Own Brands Supplier Diversity Summit Winners
Keasbey, New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corp. has recognized the winners of its Own Brands Supplier Diversity Summit. The summit, held June 28, was an opportunity for diverse private label manufacturers to present new and trending products for potential inclusion in Wakefern’s award-winning Bowl & Basket and Wholesome Pantry store brands portfolio. Suppliers selected to join the […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Promotes Tufts To VP, Human Resources
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has promoted Derek Tufts to VP of human resources. Tufts was hired in 2019 as director of human resources for the retail segment and was promoted to senior director, human resources of corporate and retail in 2022. In his new role, he will play a key role in coaching senior leaders and developing HR […]
Posted inLipari Foods, Executive News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Lipari Foods Names Gordon As CFO
Warren, Michigan-based Lipari Foods has named Zachary “Zac” Gordon as CFO. He will succeed Dave Littleson, who announced his retirement earlier this year. In this role, Gordon’s leadership and insights will bolster the financial operations and play a role in navigating the strategic direction focused on company growth. “Zac is a proven finance executive and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Executive News, Midwest
SpartanNash Welcomes Ninth Director To Board
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has appointed Kerrie D. MacPherson to its board of directors, effective immediately. As an independent director, MacPherson will serve on the audit committee. MacPherson brings more than three decades of international business experience, having worked with senior management and boards to drive growth and innovation while scaling services to market. She […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Fundraiser Backs Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement recently teamed up with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash and FMI – The Food Industry Association to develop programs that inspire students to explore career paths in the food industry. To boost that effort, SpartanNash and its foundation have launched an in-store fundraiser to benefit the youth education nonprofit. Proceeds will help expand educational […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest, West
SpartanNash Donates Food, Water For Maui Disaster Relief
Michigan-based SpartanNash has donated two truckloads of food and bottled water for wildfire disaster relief efforts in Maui, Hawaii. The company partnered with Convoy of Hope to ship products quickly and efficiently for disaster relief. In addition to its product donations, SpartanNash provided $25,000 in financial support to the Hawaii Community Foundation, in collaboration with the American Logistics Association. […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southeast
UNFI Replacing Distribution Center Near Sarasota, FL
UNFI has begun work on a new distribution center north of Sarasota, Florida, that will replace an aging facility and incorporate the latest in warehouse technology to increase efficiency in selecting, packing and loading processes. The center is being built within the SRQ Logistics Center, a 300-acre master-planned business park adjacent to Sarasota’s International Airport […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Affiliated Foods, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Inks Partnership With Affiliated Foods Inc.
Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors has announced it is the new primary distributor of natural, organic and specialty products for Affiliated Foods Inc. of Amarillo, Texas. AFI is a wholesale distribution cooperative in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska and Arkansas, serving more than 800 grocery and convenience stores and restaurants. As part of […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
UNFI Concludes 2023 Conventional Winter Show
United Natural Foods Inc. has concluded its 2023 UNFI Conventional Winter Show, held at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minnesota. UNFI’s Winter Show brought together more than 2,000 grocery retailers, providing them with access to the company’s network of suppliers and vendors. Following its Natural Holiday Show held June 7-8 at the Mohegan Sun Resort […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, C-Store News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
C-Store Foxtrot Selects KeHE As Primary Distributor For Natural, Organic Products
In a move that expands its business in the convenience store channel, Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors is partnering with Foxtrot, a corner store and café that has locations nationwide. “We are thrilled to be selected by Foxtrot as their primary distributor for natural, organic and specialty products,” said Kristen Christopher, VP of alternate channels. “Foxtrot […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Celebrates Independent Grocers At Food Expo
SpartanNash celebrated its independent grocers during the 2023 Food Solutions Expo July 26-27 at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company presented 13 independent grocers with a 2023 Vision Award for year-over-year sales growth, growth in SpartanNash’s OwnBrands products and community engagement initiatives. “Our independent customers are integral to their local communities, […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Northeast
Winn To Succeed Palmer As CEO Of C&S Wholesale Grocers
Keene, New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers has announced that CEO Bob Palmer will retire on Oct. 2, with Chief Operating Officer Eric Winn succeeding him. Palmer, who will continue to serve on C&S’ board of directors, will work with Winn in the months ahead to ensure a smooth transition. Since his appointment as CEO in […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Honors Top 10 Suppliers At Annual Expo
SpartanNash showcased its supplier partnerships July 26-27 during its annual Food Solutions Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company honored its top 10 suppliers through its first Impact Awards program, recognizing their exceptional performance and commitment to SpartanNash’s independent grocery retailers and store guests. The Impact Awards recognized suppliers that have played a pivotal role […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI, Crisp Platform Providing Retail Insights To CPGs
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has launched UNFI Insights, an open data platform developed with Crisp for the consumer goods industry. The platform is designed to provide suppliers with comprehensive and cohesive sales, inventory and deduction data across natural and conventional channels. Building on the companies’ relationship formed in summer 2021, it provides […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG Appoints Naifeh To Board Of Directors
Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. has appointed Tennessee grocer Dana Naifeh to the company’s board of directors. Naifeh replaces James Neumann, who recently joined AWG as SVP of special projects. AWG President and CEO David Smith welcomed the addition of Naifeh, who is president of Naifeh’s Inc. “Her hands-on experience as an owner-operator […]