UNFI Partners with Penn State to Win Best In Business—Big Idea Award

February 9, 2010: UNFI is pleased to announce that The National Association of College & University Food Services recently awarded the Sisu store at Penn State University the prestigious “Best In Business—Big Idea” Award for 2009. 

Prior to receiving the award, the Sisu store on Penn State’s campus was the standard, conventional, grab-and-go outlet for student snack foods. Penn State saw a need for more natural and organic foods on campus and some students had been asking for a change. Manager Jennifer Krise started with a small natural and organic section and, when that was a success, decided to change the whole concept. Following a renovation that included a new outdoor/rock climbing theme, Sisu now offers 100% natural and organic foods including an organic peanut butter and jelly sandwich station. Breads for the sandwiches are baked on campus, the nut butter is freshly ground in-store and the jelly is local and organic. Organic toppings abound and there’s even a pannini machine to give pb&j panache.

Upon making the decision to go natural, Sisu management did some research and saw that UNFI had previously partnered with Vanderbilt and Perdue universities to install natural food areas at their schools.Working closely with John Ritter, a UNFI rep, Sisu created a product mix to appeal to college students. John also set up vendor showcases and sampling to introduce students to new items and build demand. After a semester of settling in and heavy sampling, sales have steadily improved and Sisu topped the year with the “Best Best In Business—Big Idea”  award. “The award was a surprise,” said manager Jennifer, “but it was great working with John and having the store and my staff recognized.”