A recent cyber attack on United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI)—one of the largest wholesale distributors for grocery stores—has sent shockwaves through the food supply chain. From corporate to mid-range, it’s no surprise locally owned grocery stores have been hit the hardest. Our local establishments like The Goose Community Grocer, Payless Foods, Clinton Food Mart, and the Star Store are grappling in the aftermath. Here’s how the attack is impacting these island staples and what it means for the community.

Disrupted Supply Chains

UNFI serves 30,000 stores nationwide – naturally, a few thousand of those are independent grocers that rely heavily on UNFI services. To keep the attack at bay, UNFI had to shut down its system delaying orders and causing widespread shortages for its major clients like Whole Foods. For South Whidbey stores, this means:

• Sparse Shelves: Regular customers are already noticing gaps in inventory, especially for organic and specialty products that smaller grocers rely on UNFI to supply.
• Missed Opportunities: Seasonal promotions and specialty events, which often feature UNFI products, may need to be postponed or canceled, further stressing store revenues.

Increased Operational Costs

With the disruption, stores are scrambling to source products elsewhere. Unfortunately, alternatives often come with higher price tags due to expedited shipping, limited availability, or sourcing from less familiar suppliers. For island stores, these increased costs are compounded by existing logistical challenges:

• Transportation: As an island, we’re dependent on the ferry system or long hauls from Deception Pass bridge access. Transporting goods is already a costly and time-sensitive endeavor. Alternative sourcing adds further strain.
• High(er) Prices for Consumers: To manage their bottom line, stores may need to pass on some of these costs, impacting affordability for shoppers. Let’s be real though, prices are already high here.

Neighborhood Impact

The small, locally owned stores on Whidbey Island are more than just places to buy groceries—some offer round-up charity programming that will also suffer due to this digital ambush. The cyber attack’s ripple effect threatens to:

• Erode Trust: Supply shortages and rising prices can make customers question a store’s reliability, even if the cause is out of their control.
• Disrupt Local Partnerships: Many stores partner with local farmers, artisans, and small businesses to stock unique products. These partnerships could suffer if stores have fewer resources to dedicate to showcasing local goods.

What Can We Do?

As our grocers work to weather the storm, the community can play a crucial role in supporting them:

1. Shop Local: Whenever possible, prioritize shopping at locally owned stores. Your purchases help them stay afloat and further fundraising efforts for their partnerships.
2. Be Patient: Understand that staff and owners are doing their best to navigate a difficult situation and reprimanding them won’t solve anything.
3. Be Flexible: While waiting for certain items to return to shelves, consider alternative products while we wait for the stores to rebuild their inventory.

Looking Ahead

While it’s unclear if UNFI will pinpoint what happened, they’re working to recover as quickly as possible and taking action to avoid a future cyber kerfuffle. By continuing to rally around your local grocers, island residents can help ensure they emerge stronger after the storm calms.