Supervalu gains wholesale business of America's Food Basket

Supervalu announced it has entered a long-term agreement to supply America’s Food Basket (AFB), a Lake Success, N.Y.-based regional cooperative with 47 stores.

The wholesaler will provide AFB member stores with traditional grocery products including meat, deli, bakery, grocery, fresh produce, frozen foods and dairy. Supervalu will also distribute AFB’s “Ideal Brands” and provide stores with the ability to stock the wholesaler’s private brands, including Essential Everyday, Wild Harvest and Culinary Circle.

AFB member stores operate under the banners America’s Food Basket, Ideal Food Basket and Super Fi Emporium in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Stores range in size from 5,000 to 20,000 square feet.

AFB previously was supplied by C&S Wholesale Grocers. AFB CEO Dan Cabassa told SN that as the cooperative started to operate more as a chain store operation rather than a small network of independents, its wholesaler needs changed, and Supervalu could better provide for those needs.

“They better fit. They align more closely with our go forward strategy. We’ve grown as a chain, and we continue to grow,” said Cabassa.

AFB plans to open three stores in the next two months, in Lawrence, Mass., at the end of November; New Britain, Conn., in early December; and Clifton, N.J., in January.

Supervalu will also give AFB better access to CPG companies and other business partners that AFB needs to grow, Cabassa said.

AFB reports over $600 million in revenue, he said.

“America’s Food Basket is a terrific regional co-op that delivers a great neighborhood grocery experience for its customers,” Mike Stigers, EVP of Supervalu’s wholesale business, said in a press release. “Our plans to continue to grow Supervalu’s wholesale business took another step forward today with the addition of America’s Food Basket.”

Reports also indicate Supervalu has taken over as the wholesaler for Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, a six-store chain based in Long Island, N.Y.