Our new co-op resolved, at our first organizational meeting on 22 April 2009, to begin by becoming a buying club with United Natural Foods, Incorporated (UNFI). Jack was selected to be the UNFI Coordinator.
The UNFI Coordinator will post on this page any information that is developed frorm that effort.
United Natural Foods, IncorporatedCorporate headquarters:260 Lake Road
Dayville, Connecticut 06241
800-877-2240
website:
http://unfi.comOur warehouse:
UNFI, Natural and Organic Distribution
71 Stow Drive
Chesterfield, NH 03443
603-256-3000
Background information from UNFI's website:
Basics about the company: http://www.unfi.com/AboutUs.aspx
About us
UNFI is the leading independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products including nutritional supplements, personal care items and organic produce, in the United States. In addition to excellent distribution services, we provide a range of innovative, value-added services for our customers and suppliers, to foster mutual success and growth. Our services include marketing and promotional tools, merchandising, category management and store support services.
Our distribution operations are divided into five principal units: UNFI, Eastern Region; UNFI, Western Region; Albert’s Organics; Select Nutrition; and UNFI Specialty Distribution Services. In addition to distribution operations, UNFI's divisions include Blue Marble Brands, the Natural Retail Group and Hershey Import Company. We distribute throughout the United States and to more than 40 other countries.
How they grew to be so big - http://www.unfi.com/UNFI_Family.aspx?ekmensel=d6ba9a56_34_195_btnlink
The UNFI family
UNFI’s story parallels the story of the natural and organic products industry in the United States. It begins back in the 1970’s when consumer interest in natural foods began to blossom. Across the US, small, regional distributors sprang up to meet the needs of this growing market. These pioneers operated on vision, entrepreneurial spirit and a shoestring budget.
Over the years, these small distributors grew into larger distributors. Business expanded as the demand for natural and organic products increased. In 1996, in order to better serve the growing market, two regional distributors combined forces to form United Natural Foods, Inc. Mountain People's Warehouse, based in Northern California, and Cornucopia Natural Foods, based in New England, were the first two members of the UNFI family.
In the following years, other regional distributors joined the UNFI family. These included Stow Mills, Albert's Organics, Blooming Prairie, Northeast Cooperatives, Select Nutrition, Roots ‘N Fruits, Millbrook Distribution Services and others. These companies each brought to UNFI a long history of experience and dedication to the natural products industry.
Now, how do we interact with them?
Getting started with UNFI
At UNFI, by nature we are driven to exceed the needs and expectations of our customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and communities. We are consistent. Dependable. Honest. Profitable. At UNFI, we focus on what’s important: you, your store, your brand, and your customer.
We distribute over 60,000 products and initiate leading-edge programs that move sales. We live and breathe excellence in delivery. We are committed to honoring relationships, working in collaboration, and mutual success. As importantly, we are driven by nature. We honor the earth and all it provides, and work in partnership with it. For more than 30 years, this is how we’ve conducted business, and this is how we’ll continue to do it.
A quick look at UNFI
- the largest national distributor of specialty, natural and organic products, with 18 distribution centers nationwide
- the largest customer for majority of our suppliers
- offering 60,000 items in all retail categories (more than any competitor) including natural, organic, organic produce, specialty, ethnic, kosher, general merchandise, health and beauty, nutritional supplement
- first to market with over 500 new products each month
- a team of industry professionals that have the experience, passion and knowledge to help substantially grow your business
- an industry leader in the “triple bottom line” – balanced environmental, social and economic performance - Click here for more information about UNFI's initiatives in green building, solar energy, Third World nutrition, and other projects
Experience and Committment
- UNFI is committed to maintaining the highest service levels in the industry -- in-stocks of 97+% & on-time deliveries of 98+%
- UNFI has the expertise to help new customers in transitioning businesses with little to no impact on sales
- We offer Purchasing and Category Management proficiency second to none in the industry - we can help you develop the best assortment and maximize profitable sale
Do Business with Us!
For more information about doing business with UNFI, please visit Contact Us.
Contact UsAll others:
800-323-2131, ext. 21158
email to: bcinfo [at] unfi [dot] com
email sent Saturday, 25 April 2009 to bcinfo [at] unfi [dot] com
Subject: Questions: Starting new buying club, Concord, New-Hampshire
To Buying Club staff,
A group of us are organizing a co-op in Concord, New-Hampshire and I have
been selected to be the UNFI Coordinator. I'd like to find out all I can
as far as what we have to do to set up a relationship with UNFI as a
buying club.
We will have our second organizing meeting this coming Wednesday, 29 April
2009 and I have committed to reporting back to the organizing committee on
this. We have 8 organizers and a dozen or more who will join in the co-op
as members as soon as we get set up.
I know that we have to have an assistant UNFI coordinator, and we will
have to finalize our name. Other than that, what will we have to do to get
set up with UNFI. I will also call you Monday to ask you the same thing.
Thank you,
Jack Shimek
UNFI Co-ordinator
New New-Hampshire Co-operative
