UNFI gives thanks to associates and strengthens food access in local communities
November 26, 2024 3 minute read
The season of giving is upon us, and UNFI is dedicated to making quality food accessible to families across the country as they prepare for holiday celebrations with friends and loved ones. Our associates have been working hard to pack and deliver quality food, ensuring grocery stores are stocked with staple items that will become the centerpieces of traditional holiday meals.
Our Cub stores have 600,000 lbs. of turkey for sale along with total meal dinner solutions to take the pressure of cooking off their customers. In our Shoppers stores, over 200,000 lbs. of turkey will be sold, while another 2,300 turkeys will be donated in partnership with Shoppers community nonprofits.
In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, our drivers will travel nearly 10 million miles to deliver more than 60 million cases of food, including turkeys and many other beloved holiday staple items, to stores across the country.
Turkeys are not only being delivered to stores, but to our associates as well. Each year, UNFI gifts Thanksgiving turkeys to our associates as a token of gratitude for their dedication and commitment to serving our partners. Even during the busiest time of year for UNFI, it’s imperative we take a moment to pause to thank our team for helping us be better every day.
"I’m very appreciative of it every year. I plan on it - to not go and buy one from the store. It’s a big deal for us." - Adam Purves, Warehouse Associate
"It's nice to get one and save a few dollars, it’s appreciated." - Bruce Low, Warehouse Associate
The season of giving wouldn’t be complete without community service. While many of our distribution centers and corporate team members are donating to, and volunteering with, local food pantries, others are getting into the Thanksgiving spirit by participating in our fifth annual UNFI Foundation Turkey Trot 5K, a virtual event that raises awareness of the UNFI Foundation.
“I look forward to participating in the Turkey Trot every year. It’s such a fun and festive event for our team to get together with friends or family, get outdoors, and support the UNFI Foundation,” said Matt Echols, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. “Since it began in 2020, this event has raised more than $30,000 for our Foundation, helping to fulfill its mission of empowering equitable and sustainable food systems.”