UNFI Foundation Announces “50 for 50” Grant Initiative to Commemorate UNFI’s 50th Anniversary

January 28, 2026           5 minute read

As UNFI celebrates 50 years of delivering better food, the UNFI Foundation is marking the milestone by investing in communities across North America.  

Through its first-ever “50 for 50” initiative, the UNFI Foundation will award 50 grants to nonprofit organizations covering all 50 U.S. states. Over the course of 2026, the Foundation plans to distribute a total of $2 million to programs that help strengthen local food systems across North America.  

The initiative was announced at UNFI’s Spring and Summer Selling Show in Long Beach, Calif. At an evening reception, UNFI CEO Sandy Douglas and UNFI Co-Founder and Board Member Michael Funk joined over 3,500 retailers, suppliers, and associates to celebrate five decades of partnership and purpose in the food retail industry. 

“For 50 years, UNFI has believed that better food builds stronger communities,” said Sandy Douglas, UNFI CEO. “As we mark this milestone, we want to honor the people and partners who share that belief and work every day to make our industry vibrant, resilient, and sustainable. The UNFI Foundation’s ‘50 for 50’ initiative is another way to recognize this work – and invest in a better shared future.” 

Food Finders Receives First “50 for 50” Grant 

As a tribute to the state where UNFI was founded in 1976, the UNFI Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to Food Finders – a Southern California-based nonprofit that rescues surplus, wholesome food and redirects it to local hunger relief organizations.  

“We’re honored to be the first grantee of the UNFI Foundation’s 50 for 50 initiative,” said Diana Lara, Executive Director of Food Finders. “This support helps us continue expanding our food recovery efforts and ensures more families across Southern California have access to nutritious meals.” 

Throughout 2026, the UNFI Foundation will continue awarding grants to nonprofits across North America that play a vital role in feeding local communities. 

A Legacy Shared with Longstanding Partners 

In Long Beach, UNFI also marked its 50th anniversary by recognizing two of its earliest retail and brand partners with the newly created Michael Funk Legacy Awards. 

Sacramento Natural Foods Coop, an early UNFI customer, was recognized for decades of commitment to local farmers, sustainable retailing, and community education. 

“UNFI has been a trusted partner to our business for nearly five decades,” said Brian Munn, President & General Manager of Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op. “From our early days as a small buying club to the co-op we are today, UNFI has consistently supported our mission, our growth, and our commitment to local and sustainable food. We’re honored to receive the Michael Funk Legacy Award and appreciate the role UNFI continues to play in supporting our cooperative food systems.” 

Lundberg Family Farms, a UNFI supplier since 1976, was honored for multigenerational leadership in organic rice, regenerative agriculture, and environmental stewardship. 

“Lundberg Family Farms and UNFI may have changed over the past 50 years, but our shared commitment to better food and a better future remains the same,” said Justin Pernod, Lundberg’s Vice President of Sales. We’re excited to partner with UNFI to help grow the organic market by making Regenerative Organic Certified® products more widely accessible. It’s not just good business; it’s essential to the long-term health of people and the planet." 

Reflecting on these longstanding partnerships, UNFI Co-Founder and Board Member Michael Funk said, “Our industry has long been shaped by pioneers who believed in doing the right thing — for people and for the planet. Partners like Sacramento Natural Foods Co‑op and Lundberg Family Farms have helped transform natural and organic food from a movement to the mainstream, and UNFI is proud to have supported their growth along the way.” 

Carrying Forward a Legacy of Shared Purpose 

UNFI’s 50th anniversary will be a year of gratitude—honoring the retailers, suppliers, associates, and non-profit partners who have long shared a core belief that better food builds stronger communities.  

Stay tuned as UNFI highlights more stories of industry leadership, innovation, and shared values throughout 2026.