To celebrate its 50th anniversary, United Natural Foods Inc. says it is going nationwide with a $2 million commitment to local food systems. Through its newly launched “50 for 50” initiative, the UNFI Foundation plans to award 50 grants to nonprofits across every U.S. state and Canada throughout 2026, ensuring that the company’s milestone birthday has a tangible impact on food security.
The announcement served as the centerpiece of UNFI’s Spring and Summer Selling Show in Long Beach, Calif., a full-circle moment for a company that was founded in the Golden State in 1976. CEO Sandy Douglas and co-founder Michael Funk shared the stage with 3,500 partners and customers to kick off a year-long celebration of “partnership and purpose,” the company says.
“For 50 years, UNFI has believed that better food builds stronger communities,” Douglas says. “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.”
Douglas, Funk and UNFI Foundation Chair Matt Echols presented the first “50 for 50” grant — a $10,000 donation — to Food Finders, a Southern California nonprofit that recovers surplus, wholesome food and redistributes it to communities facing food insecurity. In 2024 alone, Food Finders rescued more than 15 million pounds of food, turning potential waste into millions of meals, according to the company.
“We’re honored to be the first grantee of the UNFI Foundation’s ‘50 for 50’ initiative,” says 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.”
As part of the celebration, UNFI also recognized two long-standing partners with the Michael Funk Legacy Award, honoring businesses that have paved the way in innovation and sustainability across the food retail industry.
- Sacramento Natural Foods Co op, one of UNFI’s earliest customers, was honored for its decades-long commitment to local farmers, sustainable practices and community education.
- Lundberg Family Farms, a UNFI supplier since 1976, was recognized for its multigenerational leadership in organic rice production, regenerative agriculture and environmental stewardship.
“UNFI has been a trusted partner to our business for nearly five decades,” says Brian Munn, president and 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.”
“Our industry has long been shaped by pioneers who believed in doing the right thing — for people and for the planet,” Funk says. “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.”
UNFI’s West Spring and Summer Selling Show in Long Beach brought together more than 1,700 retail representatives and over 1,800 supplier brands across natural, organic, fresh, specialty and conventional categories. Exhibitors showcased thousands of innovative products designed to help retailers prepare for the upcoming seasons.
UNFI says it will host its Central/East Spring and Summer Show Feb. 11-12 in Orlando, Fla.
