NY’s Associated Food Stores taps UNFI for Natural Products

New York based Associated Food Stores and United Natural Foods, Inc. have entered into a distribution partnership in which UNFI will serve as the primary wholesale natural grocery distributor to Associated.

“We are excited to be offering new and additional products to our store owners,” said Harry Laufer, co-CEO of Associated. “Our partnership with UNFI will allow Associated to continue to be more competitive and grow our 250-store base.”

Established more than 50 years ago, Associated is a specialty distributor of grocery products to branded independent retail supermarkets in the New York metropolitan area, one of the largest retail food markets in the United States. Associated provides grocery distribution, financing, marketing and promotional services to approximately 250 independently owned and operated grocery stores, which typically carry the “Associated” or “Compare” trade name.

"We are pleased to start a new relationship with Associated Supermarkets, a top retailer in the New York market,” said Steven Spinner, United Natural Foods' president and CEO. “Given the evolving nature of the New York City market, we understand the demand for natural and organic products and are excited to be a part of that growth."

United Natural Foods, Inc. carries and distributes more than 65,000 products to more than 27,000 customer locations throughout the United States and Canada. The company serves a wide variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel.