Supervalu has entered into a long-term agreement to supply America’s Food Basket (AFB), a regional cooperative of 47 grocery stores. The deal will see Supervalu providing AFB members with a wide range of grocery products, including meat, deli, bakery items, fresh produce, frozen foods, and dairy. Supervalu will also distribute AFB’s own “Ideal Brands” and offer access to its private label brands like Essential Everyday, Wild Harvest, and Culinary Circle.
AFB member stores, operating under banners such as America’s Food Basket, Ideal Food Basket, and Super Fi Emporium, are located across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. These stores vary in size, ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 square feet. The cooperative’s previous supplier was C&S Wholesale Grocers.
The shift to Supervalu was driven by AFB’s evolving needs as it transitions from a network of independent stores to a more cohesive chain operation, according to AFB CEO Dan Cabassa. Supervalu’s capabilities better align with AFB’s growth strategy, providing the necessary support for its expansion plans.
AFB’s growth trajectory includes the upcoming opening of three new stores: one in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in late November; another in New Britain, Connecticut, in early December; and a third in Clifton, New Jersey, in January. This expansion underscores America’s Food Basket’s commitment to serving a wider customer base within the region. Beyond product supply, the partnership with Supervalu will also facilitate AFB’s access to key consumer packaged goods companies and other business partners crucial for its continued growth.
The cooperative currently reports over $600 million in revenue, highlighting its significant presence in the regional grocery market. Supervalu’s EVP of wholesale business, Mike Stigers, praised America’s Food Basket for its strong neighborhood grocery experience. The addition of AFB to Supervalu’s wholesale portfolio represents a significant step in the company’s ongoing expansion strategy. In addition to the AFB agreement, reports suggest Supervalu has also become the wholesaler for Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, a six-store chain on Long Island, New York.
