Circle of Excellence Awards
The Supplier Circle of Excellence award is a ceremony recognizing our supplier partners for their exceptional achievements in innovation, marketing, and partnership. Winners are categorized by merchandising category and years in business, reflecting the diverse landscape of our suppliers.
Circle of Excellence Award Types
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Emerging Winners
Suppliers who have been UNFI partners for three years or less.
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Established Winners
Suppliers who have been UNFI partners for more than three years.
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Supplier of the Year
This award is the top honor of the Circle of Excellence, as these suppliers embody the highest standards of achievement.
Supplier of the Year Winners
The Kraft Heinz CompanyEstablished Supplier of the Year Winner
The Kraft Heinz Company, our Established Supplier of the Year, is the third largest food and beverage company in North America. Their unparalleled portfolio of brands and their commitment to investing in programs that support our retailers have not only resulted in exceptional performance but have also earned them recognition as a top military supplier, exemplifying their commitment to excellence and leadership. Kraft Heinz continues to set the bar high for the industry.
Certified Piedmontese BeefEmerging Supplier of the Year Winner
Certified Piedmontese Beef, our Emerging Supplier of the Year, has shown unwavering support that extends beyond the Wild Harvest brand. Their consistent participation in shows, promotional activities, and day-to-day business operations has significantly benefited our retailers. Piedmontese sets the bar for transparency as their products are source verified by Where Food Comes From, Inc. Their dedication to quality and excellence has solidified their role as a key partner, driving growth and setting new standards in the meat category.
ChompsDiverse Supplier of the Year Winner
Chomps, our Diverse Supplier of the Year, is a registered diverse supplier with UNFI and holds the #1 jerky SKU with their original grass-fed beef stick. They source their high-quality products from farmers committed to treating their land and animals right. Their deep understanding of the category is evident in the brand's continuous growth and outperformance of the category year-over-year. Their commitment to healthier jerky resonates through their exceptional packaging, marketing, and social impact, positioning them for continued strength and success.
Winners by Merchandising Category
Better with BuckwheatEmerging Winner Center Store
Better with Buckwheat, our Emerging Center Store winner, is an excellent partner and innovator. They have leveraged the UNFI UPNext program to expand their distribution and launch a new line of crackers. Their dedication to health and sustainability is exemplified by their flagship ingredient, buckwheat. Winning the pitch slam at the 2023 UNFI Mohegan Sun Tabletop show highlighted their brand's unique personality and demonstrated that consumers are responding well to their products.
The Kraft Heinz CompanyEstablished Winner Center Store
The Kraft Heinz Company, our Established Center Store winner, is an industry leader that has been delighting customers globally for over 150 years. Their legacy of excellence is built on a commitment to understanding consumers, driving innovation, and providing unparalleled service to our retailers. From proactive support of UNFI to pioneering new programs, Kraft Heinz exemplifies partnership, setting industry standards.
Tru EarthEmerging Winner Non-Food
Tru Earth, our Emerging Non-Food winner, is a rapidly growing brand. They have fully partnered with UNFI, participating in numerous selling shows, advertising, promotions, and quarterly trend presentations. Known for their focus on biodegradability and waste elimination, Tru Earth provides impactful household cleaning products, striving to create lasting environmental change and support #TruChangeMakers in their mission to save the planet.
Procter & GambleEstablished Winner Non-Food
Procter & Gamble, our Established Non-Food winner, consistently takes full advantage of our comprehensive business planning and category review offerings. Recognized as industry leaders in category innovation, they have experienced strong year-over-year growth, showcasing their unwavering commitment to excellence. Their dedication to innovation and strategic planning has recently earned them prestigious recognition as one of Fortune’s Most Innovative companies, solidifying their position as trailblazers in the industry.
Califia FarmsEstablished Winner Beverage
Califia Farms, our Established Beverage winner, exemplifies collaboration with their focus on streamlining efficiencies to best serve UNFI customers. Their partnership is built on communication and creative solutions, upholding values of homemade taste with quality ingredients. Known for popular seasonal offerings and innovative products like the Simple Creamer line, Califia Farms continually brings excitement to the dairy-free creamer and cold brew coffee segments.
Dr. Bronner’sEstablished Winner Health, Beauty, Care and Wellness
Dr. Bronner’s, our Established HBC and Wellness winner, has forged a strong partnership with UNFI, collaborating on the successful launch of their innovative sustainable soap cartons, specifically designed to refill their recycled bottles. They are dedicated to environmental stewardship, implementing strategies to reduce waste, regenerate resources, and promote recycling practices throughout their operations and supply chain. They also actively participate in UNFI showcases, marketing, and sales programs.
ChobaniEstablished Winner Dairy
Chobani, our Established Dairy winner, excels in marketing programs, product innovations, and driving growth. Their innovative product launches demonstrate their commitment to exceptional service and collaboration. They are also avid supporters of our UNFI shows by being coffee station sponsors, which then allows them to feature their creamers. It’s an exciting time at Chobani as they recently announced their acquisition of La Colombe, which will allow Chobani to expand its footprint with UNFI retailers.
KellanovaEstablished Winner Frozen
Kellanova, our Established Frozen winner, proactively partners with UNFI's procurement team to ensure timely and efficient shipments, maintaining strong retailer fill rates. Their dedication to excellence is evident through their investment in programs that ensure top-selling items within key categories are stocked in as many stores as possible. Kellanova is highly valued as a UNFI partner, recognized for their commitment to quality and reliability. Additionally, they have earned distinction as one of Fortune’s World's Most Admired Companies, further solidifying their reputation as industry leaders.
CT Bakery/DC DonutsEmerging Winner Deli and Bakery
CT Bakery/DC Donuts, our Emerging Deli/Bakery winner, provides retailers with high-quality, fully finished donuts that significantly reduce in-store labor costs. Their seasonal themed items add vibrant variety to the category and have caught the eyes of many major retailers. They produce 1 million donuts a day with over 300 flavors and strive to provide original flavors and colors that bring moments of enjoyment without compromise.
Give & Go Prepared FoodsEstablished Winner Deli and Bakery
Give & Go Prepared Foods, our Established Deli/Bakery winner, expanded their seasonal offerings with new varieties of brownies and cupcakes, boosting sales. They created themed events around Barbie, Oreos, and an exciting Space Dunk Contest offering a chance to go to space. Partnering with UNFI on impactful promotions, Give & Go helps customers build compelling retail ads that drive engagement and sales with their best-in-class marketing tactics.
Certified Piedmontese BeefEmerging Winner Meat and Seafood
Certified Piedmontese Beef, our Emerging Meatand Seafood winner, swiftly partnered with UNFI to introduce the innovative Wild Harvest Grass Fed and Grass Finished Beef program. Meeting a critical demand from our retailers, Piedmontese has demonstrated exceptional agility and collaboration, delivering a one-of-a-kind program that marks an exciting new venture for UNFI in the Brands+ beef world.
Smart ChickenEstablished Winner Meat and Seafood
Smart Chicken, our Established Meat and Seafood winner, stands out as a true vendor partner, demonstrating unwavering support across multiple UNFI business segments. Their tailored promotions, new item innovation, and consistent show participation have driven amazing year-over-year sales despite operating in a very price-sensitive product group (Fresh Chicken). They also continue to expand distribution within the various businesses they operate in.
Pacific ProduceEmerging Winner Produce
Pacific Produce, our Emerging Produce winner, is an emerging supplier specializing in direct imports of Blueberries, Table Grapes, and Avocados from Peru. With extensive growing programs, they collaborate closely with our Sourcing team to drive business growth and offer long-term pricing stability amidst market fluctuations. Pacific Produce's proactive approach extends to product handling, investing in resources to ensure high-quality avocados and a positive consumer experience.
Good FarmsEstablished Winner Produce
Good Farms, our Established Produce winner, stands as a shining example of excellence in understanding our wholesale model and forging impactful partnerships to deliver exceptional promotional programs for both conventional and organic strawberries. An industry leader in strawberries, Good Farms has continually raised the bar by increasing their production of raspberries over the past three years, to help meet heavy demand of these fruits during the late fall through spring period.