Hello to our valued supplier and broker partners! Thank you for taking the time to read these key updates and working with us on our multi-year transformation plan. We value your partnership.
Legacy Natural Programs Update
We continue our path of transforming how we do business with the end goal remaining in sight: to be the distributor of choice, while providing less complex and more transparent partnerships. While our goal has remained unchanged, we do understand that getting to a singular experience requires significant technological enhancements and consistent engagement with our external partners. With this approach, we can drive towards the end goal of delivering one UNFI experience to our retailers, suppliers, brokers, associates, and shareholders.
To ensure we execute this flawlessly, we have made the conscious decision to pause the integration of the legacy natural programs, Natural Connection and Hot Sheets, into the Region Retail Merchandising planning cycle. These programs will continue to be planned and negotiated by the Supplier Relationship Manager (SRM) for all programs executed through 2025.
Additionally, we are committed to continuing the momentum on building out the Save Every Day (SED) and Shippers and Pallets program in natural. These programs will continue to be managed by the Region Merchandising teams.
We will progress towards assigning SRMs to all Grocery, Frozen, and Dairy suppliers over time (6-12 months), and will inform you each step of the way.
We
appreciate your patience as we transform the world of food together. Should you have any questions or concerns, do
not hesitate to reach out to your SRM or Category Manager (CM).
ePass Training for Suppliers and Brokers
You can access our “How to Use ePass for Suppliers and Brokers” video as part of our Educational Series here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site. This video is designed to help suppliers and brokers navigate the SVHarbor ePass application for tasks such as searching for remittance and payment information, submitting deduction dispute passes, and requesting assistance through inquiries.
Detention Charges
In this section, we detail the process of obtaining payment from UNFI for detention charges. Below are some key call-outs, but if you’d like to read our policy in full, please read page ten of our Shipping and Handling Policies here.
To be eligible to request detention charges, a carrier needs to have received a time stamp from the receiving office showing the driver arrived no later than 15 minutes after the scheduled appointment time. The detention form must be requested prior to departure on the day of the scheduled appointment.
The detention form must be filled out by a Capstone
Logistics representative correctly and accurately, and it must be signed by a
UNFI supervisor.
UNFI Charity Classic
On May 21st, UNFI will host its annual Charity Classic at Lake of Isles in North Stonington, CT. This event includes golf and dinner, and it benefits the UNFI Foundation. We are seeking sponsors who can join us in making a positive impact. We believe that your association with this event would not only contribute to its success, but also showcase your commitment to social responsibility.
We would
be honored to have you on board as a sponsor for this year’s UNFI Charity
Classic. For more details on the event,
please follow this link.
Shipping & Handling Policies: Carton/Pallet Policies
The most
up to date Shipping & Handling Policies can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
We ask that you take the time to familiarize yourself with our Scan-able
Bar Code requirements detailed on page 15.
Supplier Relationship Management Updates
An
updated list of UNFI SMMs, contact info, line, and category assignments can be
found here on
UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
Procurement Team Updates
An
updated list of UNFI Procurement Team contacts and assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
