GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- SpartanNash, the nation's fifth largest food distributor and leading distributor to U.S. military commissaries and exchanges in the world, has announced that it has signed a long-term contract to be the primary wholesaler to Gordy’s Market, the largest locally owned and operated grocer in the western Wisconsin area.
Gordy’s Market was founded by Gordon Ray and Donna Schafer in 1966 on the South Side of Chippewa Falls and has grown into a family-owned chain of 21 grocery stores and 13 gas station convenience stores.
Gordy’s will be serviced out of SpartanNash’s St. Cloud, Minn., distribution center.
In addition to national brand products, SpartanNash will distribute its exclusive Our Family brand, as well as the value added Top Care, Value Time and natural, organic and eco-friendly Full Circle brands.
“Gordy’s is a perfect fit for our distribution operations," said Dennis Eidson, SpartanNash president and CEO. "We have years of experience meeting our Wisconsin customers’ preferences, our St. Cloud [distribution center] is strategically located to minimize food miles, and we are positioned to help Gordy’s grow.”
SpartanNash will begin distributing private-brand product to Gordy’s in mid-February and will be servicing Gordy’s as its primary distributor by May 2016.
In separate but related news, Gordy’s Market and Mega Co-op have reached an agreement that will allow each company to focus on its primary business through an asset swap of grocery stores for gas station convenience stores. When the transaction is complete, Chippewa Falls, Wis.-based Gordy’s will own and operate no c-stores or gas stations and a total of 24 grocery stores.
Grand Rapids, Much.-based SpartanNash is the largest food distributor serving U.S. military commissaries and exchanges in the world, in terms of revenue. The company's core businesses include distributing food to military commissaries and exchanges and independent and corporate-owned retail stores located in 46 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bahrain and Egypt.
SpartanNash currently operates 163 supermarkets, primarily under the banners of Family Fare Supermarkets, Family Fresh Markets, D&W Fresh Markets, and SunMart. It also operates Family Fare Quick Stop, Glen's Quick Stop, D&W Fresh Market Quick Stop and VG's Quick Stop convenience stores and gas stations.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.