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United Natural Foods history
United Natural Foods company history timeline
In 1979, however, Cloutier changed his focus from retailing to the distribution of natural foods and related products.
Launching a National Presence: 1980-95
1980: Cornucopia initiates period of aggressive expansion in northeastern and mid-Atlantic states; The Organic Food Production Association of America is founded to create industrywide guidelines.
For example, in 1985 the company purchased two distributors to strengthen its position in the New England market and to establish distribution in the mid-Atlantic states: Harvest Provisions, Inc. of Boston, and Earthly Organics, Inc. of Philadelphia.
Since 1985 United Natural had successfully completed 20 acquisitions and/or mergers of distributors, suppliers, and retail stores.
1989: "60 Minutes" reports on the carcinogenic properties of Alar, a chemical used widely in apple growing; demand for organic foods skyrockets.
Furthermore, in 1991 the company made its way into the southeastern United States by opening a distribution center in Georgia.
Compared to the net sales and operating income of fiscal 1994, these numbers represent compound annual growth rates of 20 percent and 26.1 percent, respectively.
By April 1995 Cornucopia owned and operated eight natural food stores located in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York.
1995: Company acquires a distributorship in Pacific northeast region and another in Rocky Mountains and Plains areas.
For instance, in 1997 United Natural launched an organic infant food product called Organic Baby.
1997: Company merges with New Hampshire-based Stow Mill, Inc., becomes the nation's leading distributor of natural foods and related products.
Because of the company's remarkable past performance and of growing consumer awareness of 'whole health,' it was possible to assume that the difficulties United Natural experienced during the first quarter of fiscal 2000 were a temporary setback and that the company would continue to prosper.
2000: United Foods restructures management.
United Natural completed another acquisition in 2005, adding Roots & Fruits Cooperative to its arsenal. Its profits had more than doubled since 2001, and the company's financial future looked promising.
"United Natural Foods Has Completed Its $31 Million Acquisition of Blooming Prairie Cooperative," Frozen Food Age, November 1, 2002.
The firm faced a major setback in 2002 when Wild Oats Markets, one of its largest customers, chose competitor Tree of Life Inc. as its supplier.
The company became the first and largest certified organic distributor in North America in 2003.
Marilyn, Much, "Distributor Keeps on Truckin' Thanks to Demand," Investor's Business Daily, March 18, 2004.
For the fiscal year ending July 31, 2004, United Natural generated net sales and operating income of $1.7 billion and $31.9 million, respectively.
"United Natural Foods Acquires Roots & Fruits," Progressive Grocer, July 14, 2005.
Townsend announced his retirement in October 2005 and Michael Funk once again assumed the role as president and CEO. Townsend was expected to leave the chairman post in December of that year.
In 2016, the company announced the acquisition of Nor-Cal produce, Inc.
Lemieux, Gloria; Stansell, Christina "United Natural Foods, Inc. ." International Directory of Company Histories. . Retrieved June 21, 2022 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/united-natural-foods-inc
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United Natural Foods competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Foods Market | 1978 | $16.0B | 91,000 | 1,929 |
| Sprouts Farmers Market | 2002 | $7.7B | 35,000 | 961 |
| Dairy Farmers of America | 1967 | $13.5B | 18,000 | 986 |
| Lunds & Byerlys | 1939 | $500.0M | 3,900 | 84 |
| Kroger | 1883 | $147.1B | 465,000 | 8,419 |
| TreeHouse Foods | 2005 | $3.4B | 13,489 | 235 |
| Organic Valley | 1988 | $1.2B | 950 | - |
| Big Y World Class Market | 1936 | $1.7B | 12,000 | - |
| The Fresh Market | 1982 | $1.8B | 13,000 | - |
| Panera Bread | 1981 | $2.8B | 140,000 | 4,728 |
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Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of United Natural Foods, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about United Natural Foods. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at United Natural Foods. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by United Natural Foods. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of United Natural Foods and its employees or that of Zippia.
United Natural Foods may also be known as or be related to UNFI, UNITED NATURAL FOODS INC, United Natural Foods, United Natural Foods Inc, United Natural Foods Inc. and United Natural Foods, Inc.