Better for Our World

Climate change has broad implications for the health of people and our planet. The food system is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—from land use to the transportation and packaging of food. We have a responsibility to act and believe that doing so is good for the planet and good for business.

Our Commitment

Reduce our contributions to climate change and increase resilience through operational excellence, investments in clean energy and pursuit of environmental justice.

Our Approach

Building a better, more efficient supply chain by focusing on:

  • Transparency and Disclosures Icon - bubble comment boxes.

    Transparency & Disclosures

  • Energy Use icon - lightning bolt

    Energy Use

  • Green Design Icon - house

    Green Design

  • Sustainable Transportation Icon - Truck

    Sustainable Transportation

  • Reducing waste - leaves with arrow

    Reducing Waste

  • Partnership and Engagement Icon

    Partnerships & Engagement

Transparency & Disclosures

Transparency and Disclosures

Providing meaningful disclosures of our climate impact and mitigation strategies to all of our stakeholders. Our annual Sustainability Reports reference leading frameworks, including Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board. Our GHG emissions data are independently verified by a third party and disclosed through CDP’s Climate Change questionnaire each year.  

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Energy Use

Solar Panels

Investing in clean energy and improving the energy efficiency of our facilities to reduce our climate impact through on-site solar, green power purchases and ongoing projects including LED lighting, refrigeration upgrades and behavioral adjustments.

  • 7 solar arrays, generating over 5,000 MWh of clean energy on average each year
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Green Design

UNFI Corporate Office

Continuing to leverage green building practices – designing and constructing all new buildings according to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards to create highly efficient, cost-saving, healthy workspaces for our associates. 

  • 8 LEED® Gold Distribution Centers, 1 LEED® Silver headquarter
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Sustainable Transportation

Closeup of back of tractor trailer

Creating a more resilient supply chain through regular cycling of our fleet to the newest, most efficient equipment, training our drivers to promote efficient driving, piloting emerging technologies and alternative fuels. Leveraging sophisticated route planning and optimization technologies. Using rail whenever possible for inbound deliveries.  

  • Named to Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers list since 2014
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Reducing Waste

Fork Lift with product

Working to eliminate waste in our operations through reuse and recycling programs. Using the EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy to prioritize both source reduction and donations to food banks. Evaluating the sustainability of packaging used in our private brands, operations and value chain, with a focus on continuous improvement in materials reduction, recycled content, and end of life. 

  • 30+ million pounds of food donated each year—equivalent to 25 million meals
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Partnerships & Engagement

Men shaking hands

Building Better through strategic collaboration with leading organizations to learn, share best practices and drive our programs forward. Partnering across our value chain to address pressing social and environmental issues and have an even greater impact. 

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