UNFI Announces Customer Circle of Excellence Winners

July 17, 2026          3 minute read

UNFI recognized its 2026 Circle of Excellence Award winners during its Holiday & Winter Selling Shows at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville, Conn, and in Las Vegas, Nev. 

These annual awards honor retail partners across the U.S. who are raising the bar in the grocery industry, delivering on what today’s consumers value most: quality, service, sustainability, and connection. 

“Each of your businesses has its own unique way of differentiating and standing out,” said UNFI Chief Executive Officer Sandy Douglas during the awards presentation. “You have a ‘special sauce’ that keeps your shoppers coming back – in an environment that is more competitive than ever before.” 

The 2026 Customer Circle of Excellence Award winners in the East Region are:  

Local Independent Performance Award: Milam’s Markets 
Milam’s Markets is a family-owned company that has been serving its communities since 1984 and continues to set a high bar for neighborhood retail, creating a unique and personal experience for your shoppers with a curated and differentiated assortment that sets them apart from the competition. 

Local Independent Impact Award: Hawthorne Valley Farm 
Since 1972, Hawthorne Valley Farm has stewarded over 900 acres in upstate New York, connecting agriculture, education, and community. Through hands-on farming and education, they help people better understand where their food comes from and why it matters. 

National Chain Performance Award: Heinen’s 
For more than 95 years, family-owned grocer Heinen’s has built a reputation for fresh, high-quality products and a distinctive in-store experience across Ohio and Illinois. Their focus on curated assortments, strong supplier partnerships, and consistent execution has supported steady growth and built a loyal base of shoppers. 

National Chain Performance Award: Stop & Shop 
Stop & Shop is a longstanding partner serving communities across the Northeast. Their focus on meeting shoppers where they are helped strengthen performance and contributed to nearly 16 percent year-over-year sales growth. 

National Chain Impact Award: FreshDirect 
FreshDirect is a pioneer in online grocery, serving New York City for more than two decades. With 90% of employees living in the communities they serve, they create local impact through jobs, sustainability efforts, and giving. Their donation of 24 million pounds of food to City Harvest and conversion of 2.5 million dollars of food waste into renewable energy demonstrate their commitment to New York and the planet. 

Customer of the Year: Big Y 
With a history dating back to the 1930s, Big Y has grown from a single neighborhood store into one of New England’s most valued family-owned grocery chains. Their vision – to be a trusted family market where innovation and tradition work together – is a true differentiator in their communities. 

The 2026 Customer Circle of Excellence Award winners in the Central/West Region are:  

Local Independent Performance Award: UC San Diego 
UC San Diego fosters an environment of support, belonging, and trust for their students, faculty, and community. They don't just care about sustainability, they demonstrate it through measurable waste reduction and tangible environmental impact, as well as continued growth.  

West Local Independent Impact Award: Cid’s 
Cid’s is a family-owned market in Taos, New Mexico. For nearly four decades, they’ve been committed to their community and the people who make it possible, including farmers, ranchers, and artisans. 

West Chain Impact Award: Yoke’s Fresh Market 
Yoke’s Fresh Market has been a trusted partner in the lives of people who work, shop, partner, and share space with them for 80 years. They show what it means to be a good neighbor, creating value for the communities you serve. 

Central Local Independent Performance Award: Bronson’s Marketplace  
Bronson’s Marketplace has been a mainstay in North Dakota for more than 40 years. Their commitment to keeping customers your top priority has made you a one-stop-shop for the community’s grocery needs. 

West Local Independent Performance Award: Saar’s Markets 
Saar’s Markets has built a strong assortment of multicultural products that meet the needs of your diverse communities. Their customers consistently praise their product range, staff, and the shopping experience Saar’s Markets provide. 

Central Local Independent Impact Award: Kirby Foods  
Kirby Foods is an employee-owned grocer with 16 stores across Illinois and Indiana. Their cookouts, lemonade stands, golf outings, and “Blessings in a Basket” fundraisers are making a difference in your communities. 

Chain Performance Award: Superior Grocers 
Superior Grocers is a cornerstone of communities across Southern California, the Central Valley, and Nevada since 1981. Their core values of integrity, service, passion, and excellence have helped support growth and made them a standout in the industry. 

Chain Performance Award: Gopuff 
Gopuff is a leader in ultrafast commerce. Their format is built for speed and executed with precision. Their assortment, culturally relevant partnerships, and exclusive product launches have set them on a path to growth.  

Central Chain Impact Award: Miner’s 
Miner’s is a family of community-minded stores. Their hunger relief efforts, sponsorships, and nonprofit donations continue to make a meaningful impact in their communities.  

Chain Impact Award: Trig’s 
Trig’s is a collection of stores that has served its communities with a distinct regional identity since 1971. They bring their vision to life every day by delivering “an exceptional experience that benefits your guests, associates, and local communities … and keeps them coming back.” In addition to the in-store experience, they’ve donated more than $2 million annually to local organizations through fundraising efforts like Fresh Hope and Stuff-a-Truck Food Drive.  

Customer of the Year: Dorothy Lane Market 

Dorothy Lane Market started as a simple fruit stand in 1948 with the mission to make people happy with great food. They’ve done that and more for not only Dayton and Cincinnati, but for customers across the country. Their growth continues, and we look forward to seeing them bring their shopping experience to new communities across Ohio and expand their reach online.  

Michael Funk Legacy Award 

UNFI Co-founder and Board Member Michael Funk also presented a Michael Funk Legacy Award to A Market, a longtime UNFI customer. With locations in Manchester, N.H., and Newport, R.I., A Market was recognized for its focus on offering products that support well-being and responsible sourcing. 

“A Market has been a UNFI customer since the beginning,” said Michael Funk. “They offer their customers an assortment that nourishes the body and honors the planet. Their “special sauce” includes chef-crafted meals and ethically sourced products that have made them a local favorite in their communities and a leader in natural food retail.”