February 13, 2025 PROVIDENCE, R.I.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–During its second Spring and Summer Selling Show of 2025 in Orlando, Florida, United Natural Foods, Inc. BB #:158953, recognized five high-performing retailers of various sizes that are driving growth, innovation, and community impact across the grocery retail industry.
In a live ceremony on Tuesday evening, UNFI’s second annual Customer Circle of Excellence Awards honored the following retailers in the East region:
- Local Independent Performance Award – AML Foods
- Local Independent Impact Award – Healthy Living Markets
- Regional/National Chain Performance Award – America’s Food Basket
- Regional National Chain Impact Award – The Fresh Market
- National Chain Performance Award – DoorDash
“With thousands of retail banners and countless outstanding achievements across our diverse network, it’s nearly impossible to choose just five winners for our annual Customer Circle of Excellence Awards,” said Mark Bushway, President of Natural, Organic, Specialty & Fresh Products and UNFI Chief Supply Chain Officer.
“These retailers, each with unique value propositions, are driving growth, innovation, and impact in ways that inspire our industry to be better every day. We look forward to recognizing more of our valued customers and suppliers during our Holiday and Winter Selling Shows later this year.”
UNFI’s Spring and Summer Selling Show in Orlando brought together more than 4,500 attendees, connecting 2,300 retailers with nearly 900 supplier brands over two days. Exhibitors showcased thousands of unique items, including 50 new-to-market products, spanning the natural, organic, fresh, specialty, and conventional grocery categories.
During the show, UNFI leaders also highlighted innovative capabilities the Company is building to help retailers effectively differentiate and compete in an increasingly dynamic market. For example, as preference toward private label brands continues to grow with 95% of Americans using them today, the UNFI Brands+ team discussed top strategies to help retailers drive increased traffic, loyalty, and sales. Best practices included maximizing private brand assortment, expanding premium private brand offerings, and amplifying in-store marketing.
In UNFI’s latest Pitch Slam competition, emerging suppliers in the Company’s UpNext program once again showcased their innovative new products to a live audience of their peers and retail buyers.
“Halfday Prebiotic Iced Tea is ushering in a new era of iced tea with low sugar, gut-healthy, and functional benefits while keeping the classic iced tea taste you know and love,” said Luke Ledyard, Vice President of Sales and Distribution for Halfday, winner of UNFI’s 2025 Orlando Pitch Slam. “UNFI’s UpNext program has provided incredible value as we work to scale our business and introduce more consumers to the benefits of Halfday.”
At its Winter and Holiday Selling Shows in July, UNFI will host Customer Circle of Excellence Awards for retailers representing the West and Central regions, along with the National Supplier Circle of Excellence Awards.
To read about the winners of UNFI’s Customer Circle of Excellence Awards and see highlights from the show, visit www.unfi.com/news-and-resources.
About UNFI
UNFI is North America’s premier grocery wholesaler delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to more than 30,000 locations throughout North America, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, ecommerce providers, and food service customers. UNFI also provides a broad range of value-added services and segmented marketing expertise, including proprietary technology, data, market insights, and shelf management to help customers and suppliers build their businesses and brands. As the largest full-service grocery partner in North America, UNFI is committed to building a food system that is better for all and is uniquely positioned to deliver great food, more choices, and fresh thinking to customers. To learn more about how UNFI is delivering value for its stakeholders, visit www.unfi.com.
Contacts
For Media:
Kristen Jimenez
404-906-8425
kristen.jimenez@unfi.com
For UNFI Investors:
Kristyn Farahmand
401-213-2160
kristyn.farahmand@unfi.com
-or-
Steve Bloomquist
952-828-4144
steve.j.bloomquist@unfi.com
