Whole Foods Market honors Ciruli Bros. with Supplier All-Star Award

The Arizona-based produce broker, shipper and wholesaler received Whole Foods Market’s annual supplier award that recognizes 15 brands that raise the bar for quality, innovation, value and social responsibility.
The Arizona-based produce broker, shipper and wholesaler received Whole Foods Market’s annual supplier award that recognizes 15 brands that raise the bar for quality, innovation, value and social responsibility.
(Photo courtesy Whole Foods Market)

Arizona-based broker, shipper wholesaler Ciruli Bros. is among the recipients of Whole Foods Market's Supplier All-Star Awards, which recognize 15 brands that raise the bar for quality, innovation, value and social responsibility and are aligned with the natural and organic retailer’s core values.

This year’s recipients were honored for their contributions throughout 2022.

"Ciruli Brothers is both honored and humbled by the Supplier All-Star Award. Whole Foods Market has been a valued partner for almost two decades. Through dedication and collaboration, we have achieved growth in the mango category with our champagne mango program, which is based on our commitment to excellent quality and service," Ciruli Brother's COO, Chris Ciruli, told The Packer. "We remain dedicated to Whole Foods Market’s success and aspire to always add value for its team members and customers alike."

Whole Foods Market leaders, category experts and merchants select winners across all departments and product categories, which include private label, produce, specialty, seafood, meat, grocery, culinary and whole body departments. Suppliers are also nominated by Whole Foods Market’s dedicated local foragers, who are responsible for finding new and emerging local producers within the communities served by Whole Foods Market.

“We are proud to recognize this dedicated group of suppliers and the work they do to serve our customers, advance our mission and propel the industry forward every day,” Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Whole Foods Market’s chief merchandising and marketing officer, said in a news release.

Related news: Specialty produce hits a sweet (and savory) spot for consumers

From emerging local brands to long-standing partners beloved by employees and customers, these suppliers are essential to Whole Foods Market’s business and continue to raise the bar for excellence within the grocery space, Gafsi Oblisk added.

Whole Foods Market’s Supplier All-Stars include companies who have sold to the retailer from two to 28 years. Recipients include a regenerative organic grower, several plant-based products and suppliers seeking out innovative ways to grow, catch, source and make delicious foods.

Supplier All-Star Winners

  • Abbot’s Butcher

  • Athletic Brewing Co.

  • Blue Stripes Urban Cacao

  • Ciruli Bros.

  • Eel River Organic Beef

  • Frial

  • Jasper Hill Farm

  • Kettle Cuisine

  • New Chapter

  • Organic Valley

  • Pangea Shellfish Co.

  • Patagonian Lamb

  • Simpli

  • The Elite Flower

  • Vital Farms

 

Latest News

Industry alliance: European packaging rules raise trade and food safety concerns
Industry alliance: European packaging rules raise trade and food safety concerns

New packaging rules adopted by the European Parliament raise serious trade and food safety concerns, says the Alliance for Sustainable Packaging for Foods.

Consumers, retailers drive growth of new grape varieties
Consumers, retailers drive growth of new grape varieties

The world of table grapes has expanded exponentially from traditional red and green varieties to today’s plethora of cultivars with appearance, flavor and size characteristics.

CPMA president touts industry resiliency, global solutions to challenges
CPMA president touts industry resiliency, global solutions to challenges

In his State of the Fresh Produce Industry address, Ron Lemaire talked about the current political climate, the need for global sustainability goals and the need to focus on the consumer.

ShopRite and supermarkets to hold walk-up job fairs
ShopRite and supermarkets to hold walk-up job fairs

Wakefern Food Corp.'s supermarket banners, including ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market, are hosting hiring fairs on April 27 across several states.

Mushroom Council applauds WIC enhancements, offers recipe tips
Mushroom Council applauds WIC enhancements, offers recipe tips

The Mushroom Council is highlighting multiple ways families can incorporate fresh mushrooms and other WIC foods into daily meal plans.

Harris Teeter and Consalo Family Farms donate 48,000 pounds of mandarins
Harris Teeter and Consalo Family Farms donate 48,000 pounds of mandarins

More than 16,000 bags of Little Smoochies mandarins were donated through the "Mandarins Making a Difference" campaign, aiding local hunger relief efforts.