America’s Food Basket selects Supervalu as its grocery wholesaler and supplier

America’s Food Basket (AFB), a Lake Success, N.Y.-based cooperative that supports independent retail stores across the Northeast, announced Nov. 9 that Supervalu Inc. will be AFB’s grocery wholesaler and supplier. The parties have entered into a long-term agreement for Supervalu to supply AFB member stores with traditional grocery products across a range of categories, including meat, deli, bakery, grocery, fresh produce, frozen foods and dairy.

As a result, AFB stores will be able to sell Supervalu’s private brand products, including the Essential Everyday, WildHarvest and Culinary Circle lines, while Supervalu will be able to distribute AFB’s Ideal own-brand products.

Both companies expect that several of AFB’s 47 stores will transition to Supervalu by the end of this year, with the rest likely doing so by the end of March 2017.

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

AFB stores operate under three primary banners — America’s Food Basket, Ideal Food Basket and Superfi Emporium — and range in size from 5,000 to almost 20,000 square feet.

“America’s Food Basket is moving into our fourth year of growth while at the same time seeking opportunities to build our business by exploring new avenues for operational excellence,” added AFB CEO Dan Cabassa. “We’re pleased to announce this relationship with Supervalu as we believe it will help us deliver a great offering for our shoppers.”