UNFI provides $1 million to inspire better food systems

United Natural Foods Inc. has awarded more than $1 million in grants to improve food systems in more than 40 communities across the United States and Canada. Food access is a pillar of UNFI’s Better for All initiative and 2022 marks the third consecutive year where the company has committed more than $1 million to non-profit organizations with the goal of creating equitable food access in vulnerable communities.

The UNFI Foundation’s grant funding is awarded to non-profit organizations that align with three primary focus areas: advancing childhood nutrition education, increasing the supply of organic food and improving access to healthy food for vulnerable populations. 

“At UNFI, we know our work isn’t done once a product leaves our distribution center. That’s why we are thrilled to support this year’s grantees, which are pursuing a wide range of innovative and impactful ideas to support food equity and access in their local communities across more than 20 U.S. states and into Canada,” said Alisha Real, executive director of the UNFI Foundation. “We know that food access is one area where UNFI can affect the greatest change and we are proud to support organizations that share our goal of providing affordable and nutritious food to all.”

Just in 2021, non-profit organizations supported by the UNFI foundation created more than 6,000 acres of organic farmland while fostering 2,000 new organic farmers. They also delivered $7 million worth of fresh food to at-risk community members, created 31 school gardens and taught more than 200,000 kids in 767 schools about the benefits of healthy eating.