Supplier Awards
The following outstanding partners of UNFI were presented with awards at this year’s 2022 Mohegan Sun Natural Holiday Show.
Social Responsibility
- Proud Source Water only offers natural alkaline spring water from a protected water source. All packaging is aluminum which is an infinitely recyclable material.
- Wild Planet practices selective harvesting to only target select species and stop wasteful fishing practices. They are committed to small-scale fisheries and community fishermen who share their mission.
- Partake Foods partners with organizations like No Kid Hungry to provide access to the food, education, and advocacy these families deserve. Partake is passionate about raising awareness of Black and female entrepreneurship and increasing opportunities for underrepresented people seeking careers in the food and beverage industry.
Performance
- Milk Bar sales have grown dramatically since their introduction at UNFI less than two years ago. They have brought great innovation to the table, debuting 40 new items.
- Mush Foods has nearly doubled its sales with UNFI over the past year. These items are very on trend which has translated to high level growth in all channels of business.
- Siete does a tremendous amount of business with UNFI, and even with the high baseline, they managed to grow 23% year over year in sales.
Outstanding UpNext Partner
- Snacklins has been a great partner to work with. Snacklins came to UNFI with a deal from Shark Tank and a partnership with DC area accelerator Union Kitchen. Their vegan pork rinds are on trend. They have grown 156% in the past year.
Shipping & Handling Guidelines
It is imperative that you make yourself familiar with this document located on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site. Below are a few key callouts.
Case UPC Compliance
UNFI requires that all shipping cases must have scan-able barcodes on the outside of the case. This allows UNFI to maximize the use of our technology for efficient and accurate receiving and product handling.
UNFI Placarding (Pallet Labeling) Requirement
Each pallet must be clearly labeled with a placard denoting the final destination UNFI distribution center name at the top and the UNFI PO number beneath. This label, no smaller than 5X8 inches, must be placed on bottom left corner, under stretch wrap on two opposite sides of the pallet. This is very important as we consolidate freight for many of our distribution centers.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
We strongly encourage you to utilize Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), an electronic confirmation process proven to be efficient and accurate for purchase order and invoice exchange. One of the benefits is real time notification of receipt and acceptance of invoice. Invoice is then sent quickly to UNFI Accounts Payable for Payment. Below are a few links to help you get started:
Iron Valley Logistics Services
Tired of trying to find carrier capacity and spending too much time tracking loads? Need creative solutions along with access to a wider mode and carrier selection? Need rates you can depend on and budget to? If the answer is yes, contact Iron Valley Logistics (IVS) Services to get a tailored solution designed by our team of logistics professionals.
Who Are We?
- IVL Services, a subsidiary of UNFI, leverages extensive industry experience and best-in-class, multi-mode carrier relationships to provide nationwide logistics service.
- We provide services across all industries and specialize in Food/Beverage transportation and cold chain solutions.
- We provide solutions for non-UNFI freight.
At Your Service
- Premium account management with a single point of contact for streamlined communication
- Real time tracking for transparent transportation and quick exception management
- Proactive and solution-based communication
- Flexible pricing options
How Do We Do It?
- Technology – IVL Services utilizes a robust, proprietary Transportation Management System to handle all aspects of your shipment’s logistics lifecycle, including supply chain visibility and tracking capabilities.
- Carrier Base – IVL maintains an industry-leading carrier portfolio, including all modes (OTR, IMD, and LDL) for dry and refrigerated shipments.
- Reporting – Customer reporting that is flexible, reliable, and sustainable.
Iron Valley Logistics Services, LLC combines industry insight, innovative technology, and committed customer service to improve your supply chain and streamline costs. Contact us at info@IVLServices.com.
CDP Climate Change Questionnaire
Suppliers requested by UNFI to submit a CDP Climate Change Questionnaire this year are encouraged to do so by Wednesday, July 27th, CDP’s scoring deadline. Please direct any questions about this program to climateaction@unfi.com or visit the CDP Help Center for more information.
Learn more about UNFI’s recently announced science-based climate targets and initiatives by visiting the Climate Action Hub. The Hub contains tools and resources to support suppliers in reducing emissions.
Supplier Merchandising Management (SMM) Updates
An updated list of UNFI SMMs, contact info, line, and category assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
New Team Members
Kimberly Ough, Supplier Merchandising Manager, Providence, RI. Kim came to UNFI through the Haddon House acquisition and was a member of the purchasing team for more than half of her twenty plus years working at a food distributor. She lives in South Jersey with her two daughters, her boyfriend, his three kids, and her rescue dog Diva. She loves cooking, going to the beach, big family dinners, and UConn basketball.
Brittney Langlois, Supplier Development Manager, Providence, RI. Brittney came to UNFI in 2017 working in Accounts Payable. She then worked her way to Supplier Merchandising first as a coordinator, and then as a specialist. Brittney lives in Rhode Island with her husband, daughter, and pup Max. She loves nature walks, drawing, and spending time with family.
Procurement Team Updates
An updated list of UNFI Procurement Team contacts and assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
Accounts Payable (AP) Updates
An updated list of AP contacts and assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
