UNFI’s Third Climate Summit Helps Accelerate Climate Action Across the Food Supply Chain
March 12, 2026 3 minute read
UNFI convened its third Climate Summit at Expo West, bringing together suppliers and retailers to help accelerate climate action across the food supply chain. The event focused on moving from industry alignment to collective action – highlighting new insights and collaborations emerging from the Climate Action Partnership (CAP) that can help protect our shared planet while supporting customers and suppliers in their efforts to differentiate. This initiative provides brands committed to decarbonizing their businesses and supply chains with the data and resources they need at every stage of their climate journey.
“UNFI’s Climate Summits bring more brands together to help tackle climate challenges and learn from each other. Ultimately, we want to collaborate to make change, and CAP is helping us do that,” said Lyra Wallace, Director of Operations and Sustainability, Alter Eco.
At the summit, supplier partners Alter Eco and Yerba Madre highlighted how climate data is guiding product development and operational improvements. While Kuli Kuli is using the information to invest in community-led sustainability projects that help to strengthen product viability, enhance brand reputation, and deliver long-term business value.
To help brands better understand how sustainability can help influence grocery purchases, UNFI shared findings from a national consumer survey designed with input from CAP suppliers. Key insights include:
One in seven grocery shoppers prioritize sustainable products in their grocery purchases.
Top ranked product attributes by consumers include healthy or nutritious ingredients, closely followed by environmentally sustainable production – showcasing the opportunity to leverage both attributes when marketing a product.
Nearly 60% of sustainability-focused shoppers indicated a willingness to switch brands with stronger sustainability credentials even if it was more expensive.
The summit also underscored the value that supply chain partnerships can bring to advancing climate-smart practices. Stonyfield Organic, Whole Foods Market, and UNFI recently joined Organic Valley’s Carbon Insetting Program, an initiative that provides dairy farmers with the tools and funding to adopt on-farm practices that help lower the climate impact of organic dairy products.
“By collaborating with Whole Foods Market and CAP suppliers Stonyfield and Organic Valley on this innovative Carbon Insetting Program, we’re creating solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more resilient supply chain – benefiting our customers, our suppliers, and the planet,” said Alisha Real, Vice President of Sustainability and Impact at UNFI.
Visit our Climate Action Hub to get involved and learn how CAP is providing suppliers with resources and assistance to help protect the planet and collaborate on climate action.