United Natural Foods
Encyclopedia
United Natural Foods, Incorporated , also known as UNFI, is an independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products in the United States, distributing from 18 centers across the US and Canada. The company provides services for retailers and manufacturers, including marketing and promotions, merchandising, category management and store support services. UNFI's product line includes dry, refrigerated and frozen groceries, personal care, supplements, fresh produce, perishables, general merchandise and non-foods.
UNFI's customers include food cooperatives, supermarket
s, natural food stores and niche retailers such as Whole Foods Market
in the United States, Canada, and more than forty other countries.
UNFI has a focus on corporate social responsibility
. Examples include construction and renovation projects that achieve LEED
certification, use of alternative fuels, Green Teams
and purchase of renewable energy from Eco Electrons.
In addition to distribution operations, UNFI's divisions include
UNFI's customers include food cooperatives, supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
s, natural food stores and niche retailers such as Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market is a foods supermarket chain based in Austin, Texas which emphasizes "natural and organic products." The company has been ranked among the most socially responsible businesses and placed third on the U.S...
in the United States, Canada, and more than forty other countries.
UNFI has a focus on corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model...
. Examples include construction and renovation projects that achieve LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
certification, use of alternative fuels, Green Teams
and purchase of renewable energy from Eco Electrons.
History
UNFI was founded in 1996 by the merger of two regional distributors, Mountain People's Warehouse (founded in 1976, serving the Western US) and Cornucopia Natural Foods (founded in 1977, serving the Eastern US), forming the first natural products distributor with national scope. Since 1996, other regional distributors have merged with UNFI, filling in the distribution footprint and making UNFI the largest distributor of natural products. In 2007 UNFI added specialty products distribution through the acquisition of Millbrook Distribution Services.Organization
UNFI's distribution operations are divided into six principal units.- UNFI Eastern Region
- UNFI Western Region
- Albert’s Organics
- Select Nutrition
- UNFI Canada (formerly SunOpta Distribution Group, includes Aux mille et une saisons)
In addition to distribution operations, UNFI's divisions include