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UNFI Foundation Makes Historic $1.8 Million Donation to 80 Non-Profits Across North America

September 4, 2025           2 minute read

UNFI Foundation-Welcome to HAFA Farm

The UNFI Foundation is committed to supporting people and organizations working to make food systems more equitable and sustainable. Today, the Foundation announced $1.8 million in impact investments and grants, the largest investment in its history, benefiting 80 non-profits across North America that are driving meaningful change in the food sector. The 2025 grantee cohort represents a diverse mix of national and local organizations across 32 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.

“Since its founding, the UNFI Foundation has partnered with community organizations to support growers, improve access to quality food, and help protect the planet we share. Our latest cohort of 80 grant recipients reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that deliver better food to more communities in a more sustainable way. We are inspired by their dedication and look forward to supporting their progress,” said Matt Echols, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of UNFI and UNFI Foundation Board Chair.  

With this historic round of funding, the 2025 cohort of grantees is leading transformative efforts in their communities—advancing food systems that are more equitable, sustainable, and resilient. The UNFI Foundation is proud to support their work, which reflects our shared commitment to better food and a better future.

Advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture 
Grantees such as the Nature Conservancy and the Sustainable Food Lab are bringing together farmers, conservationists, and policy makers to find practical ways to make climate-friendly farming more achievable. Programs like Farm Connect Montana pair farmers who are shifting to organic practices with experienced mentors. Through these efforts, hundreds of producers will get help working toward organic certification and sustainable land stewardship.

Accelerating Food Recovery and Access 
Innovative non-profits like RePlate are using technology to rescue surplus food and deliver prepared meals to those facing food insecurity. With support from organizations like York Region Food Network, millions of pounds of extra food will be rerouted to communities in need, helping reduce waste and fight hunger—especially in times of emergency or disaster.

"The support of the UNFI Foundation has enabled us to expand our reach, recover more surplus food, and deliver nutritious meals to communities facing food insecurity," said Maen Mahfoud, CEO RePlate, a 2025 UNFI Foundation grantee.

Improving Food Equity 
Organizations such as Project Potluck and NMSDC’s ACRES program are empowering underserved food entrepreneurs by offering mentorship, hands-on guidance, and funding. Together, they’re expected to support over 1,500 entrepreneurs—helping them earn new certifications, grow their business, and gain access to the capital they need to thrive.

Strengthening Local Food Economies 
Through investments in place-based organizations like the Common Market and the Good Acre, local food hubs will reach more families with fresh, healthy food, while also strengthening local farms and food systems. These programs foster direct farm-to-table connections, increase purchases from local producers, and build the infrastructure needed to make food more available and reliable, especially in times of need.

To learn more about the 2025 recipients and past impact, visit the UNFI Foundation website.

 

2025 UNFI Foundation Grantees

  • Mandela Partners  
    1344 7th St, Oakland, CA 94607  
    www.mandelapartners.org  

  • Food Banks Canada  
    77 City Centre Dr. Suite 501, Mississauga, Ontario L5B 1M5, Canada  
    https://foodbankscanada.ca/  

  • National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc  
    65 W. 36th Street, New York, NY 10018  
    www.nmsdc.org  

  • York Region Food Network  
    350 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, Ontario L4G 3V7, Canada  
    www.yrfn.ca  

  • DC Central Kitchen  
    2121 First Street SW, STE 140, Washington, DC 20024  
    https://www.dccentralkitchen.org  

  • Re-Plate (DBA Replate)  
    149 New Montgomery St, 4th floor, San Francisco, CA 94105  
    www.replate.org 

  • Freedmen Heirs Foundation Inc  
    21030 Frederick Road Ste G, #124, Germantown, MD 20876  
    www.freedmenheirs.org  

  • Mad Agriculture  
    728 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302  
    www.madagriculture.org  

  • The Good Acre  
    1790 Larpenteur Ave. W., Falcon Heights, MN 55113  
    thegoodacre.org  

  • Sprout Nola  
    P.O. Box 19374, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119  
    www.sproutnola.farm.org 

  • Southside Community Land Trust  
    404 Broad Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02907  
    www.southsideclt.org 

  • San Diego Food System Alliance  
    P.O. Box 3185, San Diego, CA 92163  
    https://sdfsa.org/  

  • Rhode Island Public Health Foundation Inc  
    7 Central St, Providence, RI 02907  
    https://riphi.org/ 

 

 

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