RI-based food distributor laying off 121 workers

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Locally based United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) will be laying off 121 people in January.

ORIGINAL NOTE: https://www.wpri.com/business-news/ri-based-food-distributor-laying-off-121-workers/

According to documents filed with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT), about 50 of those employees live and work in Rhode Island.

The organic food company is the primary distributor for Whole Foods, having extended their partnership with the store by eight years back in May.

The company said it will be closing its office on Albion Road in Lincoln and relocating to a new office space on Park Row West in Providence.

In a statement to 12 News, UNFI said it is transferring its billing, invoice and payroll tasks to a new third-party service provider.

“We expect this change will allow us to serve our partners more efficiently and effectively over time,” a spokesperson for the company said. “We are grateful to the UNFI associates affected by this change and remain focused on supporting them through this transition.”

The new UNFI headquarters is expected to open in summer 2025.