Press Release Details

Recognition comes during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week as UNFI celebrates its more than 2,700 drivers who deliver to communities across North America

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (September 14, 2023) – United Natural Foods, Inc. (the “Company” or “UNFI”) today recognized four of its associates as 2023 Elite Drivers of the Year as part of the Company’s Driver Ambassador Program. To help celebrate this achievement, as well as National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, each driver was awarded $10,000. Additionally, each distribution center in which the Elite Driver resides receives a premium, UNFI branded, Navistar LT625 tractor that they may use for deliveries during the next year. Over the course of the year, UNFI drivers travel nearly 147 million miles, delivering approximately 300,000 unique products to more than 30,000 customer locations across North America.

The UNFI Driver Ambassador Program celebrates drivers who achieve specific metrics for service, safety, and performance. Each quarter, UNFI drivers earn the Distinguished Driver Award if they meet attendance goals and do not have any preventable accidents or injuries, as well as hours of service or Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) violations. Those drivers who achieve this level of excellence four quarters in a row become Elite Drivers. In the Company’s latest fiscal year, 40 percent of UNFI’s driver workforce, 1,099 drivers, attained Elite Driver status.

This following four Elite Drivers were selected as 2023 Elite Drivers of the Year:

• Henry Gervais from UNFI’s Chesterfield, NH distribution center
• Michael J. Potratz from UNFI’s Aurora, CO distribution center
• Bruce Highness from UNFI’s Fargo, ND distribution center
• Jacob Eberle from UNFI’s Centralia, WA distribution center

Mark Bushway, Chief Supply Chain Officer at UNFI, said, “our drivers are the critical link to our customers. They embody the professionalism, perseverance, and passion of UNFI, and their efforts help make our supply chain better and our customers stronger.” Bushway continued, “as a team, our drivers make more than 1.5 million stops per year delivering food and essential products to customers and communities across North America. Kevin, Michael, Bruce, and Jacob represent the best of UNFI and we are very proud they are on our team.”

About UNFI

UNFI is North America's premier grocery wholesaler delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to more than 30,000 locations throughout North America, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, ecommerce providers, and food service customers. UNFI also provides a broad range of value-added services and segmented marketing expertise, including proprietary technology, data, market insights, and shelf management to help customers and suppliers build their businesses and brands. As the largest full-service grocery partner in North America, UNFI is committed to building a food system that is better for all and is uniquely positioned to deliver great food, more choices, and fresh thinking to customers. To learn more about how UNFI is Fueling the Future of Food, visit www.unfi.com.

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