Meet UNFI’s 2021 Master Marketer Award Winners

UNFI has announced the 22 category winners of its annual Master Marketer competition, which recognizes best-in-class marketing efforts by independent grocery retailers served by UNFI’s wholesale distribution business.

In addition to the category winners, Elmer’s County Market, a family-owned, full-service grocery operator based in Escanaba, Mich., since 1956, was named the 2021 Grand Master Marketer for overall consistent performance over the years.

“While the grocery industry continues to fulfill its essential purpose of providing food and services to communities across North America, we at UNFI believe it’s important to recognize the dedication and innovation throughout,” said UNFI Chief Customer Officer Steve Dietz in a statement. “We’re proud to work with each of the nominees and winners from this year’s Master Marketer program. Congratulations to all, and to Elmer’s for their achievement as this year’s Grand Master Marketer recipient.”

This year, 155 marketing programs were submitted for the 2021 Master Marketer awards, which are judged based on the creativity, clarity and effectiveness of the stores’ marketing efforts. Entries were assessed by professors and marketing students from St. Joe’s University, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan.

The full list of store winners by category is as follows:

Tier 1: Stores 30,000 square feet and smaller

Tier 2: Stores larger than 30,000 square feet

Tier 3: Store groups with five or more locations