Food distributor wins private label deal with feds

Food distributor wins private label deal with feds

Byron Center-based SpartanNash is a wholesale food distributor and runs a portfolio of grocery stores under several brands. Photo via spartannash.com

A local food distributor has been selected to provide private label products for U.S. military commissaries worldwide under a new agreement.

Byron Center-based SpartanNash said yesterday it has been selected by the Defense Commissary Agency, or DeCA, to partner on the new initiative.

Private label products, also known as “phantom brands,” are typically those manufactured or provided by one company and offered under another company's brand.

“Our customers have been asking for private label for a long time,” said Joseph Jeu, director and CEO, DeCA. “They are smart, savvy shoppers who know that private label products are cost-effective alternatives to national brands. We’re excited to help them save more at our commissaries.”

The program will kick off over the next several months. DeCA leaders said they expect the private label offerings will increase sales at its commissaries.

DeCA said SpartanNash was selected for the partnership, because of its ability to offer simplicity, ease and efficiency of implementation, cost savings, support and grow the program in the future.

“This partnership will provide military families with quality options and the opportunity to stretch their food budget,” said Dennis Eidson, CEO and board chair, SpartanNash. “Many of our active duty and veterans are on a limited income….Patriotism is one of our core values, and we are extremely proud to serve our nation’s service members, their families and military partners around the world.”

SpartanNash

SpartanNash is a Fortune 400 company that distributes grocery products to independent grocers, national accounts, its corporate-owned stores and U.S. military commissaries.

It serves customer locations in 47 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bahrain and Egypt.

SpartanNash operates 158 supermarkets, primarily under the banners of Family Fare Supermarkets, Family Fresh Market, D&W Fresh Market and SunMart.