GET CONNECTED
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Sidney Hopper
President
Chris James
Chief Operating Officer
Tony Crumpton
Chief Merchandising Officer
Sarah Bevers
Chief Financial Officer
Greg Ammons
EVP, Supply Chain & Strategic Initiatives
Shannon Miller
EVP, Talent Management
Reyes Jimenez
Chief Information Officer
MANAGING EDITORS
Abie Rampy
Director of Public Relations
Joey Marcades
Communications Manager
Emma Modisette
PR & Community Specialist
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Bridget Saucedo
Kaitlyn Logsdon
Skylar Cunningham
Ben Weber
WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS
Joey Marcades, Communications Manager
Emma Modisette, PR & Community Specialist
Taylor Sutton, MS, RDN, LD | Corporate Dietitian
Brenda Garcia, MS, RD | Health and Wellness Manager
Clare King, Summer Intern
Riley Adamson, Summer Intern
PRINTING
ColorArt Printing, Amarillo, TX
The Marketing and Communications teams publish Spirit Magazine for team members, friends and families of The United Family.
HEY TEAM
I am thrilled to connect with all of you in this special Spirit Magazine, which highlights the amazing progress you and our company have made in sustainability.
However, first I want to thank you for the incredible efforts that each of you have given during a very challenging year. I am always impressed but never surprised how this team can rally to meet any hurdle that we face.
We continue to face challenges in the industry as well as new competition. The economy has made it difficult for us and our guests, plus many of you have dedicated countless hours navigating a potential merger. Throughout this process, you have continued to do it all with a smile and commitment to serving our guests, communities, and each other. I appreciate everyone’s focus on delivering Ultimate Service, Superior Performance, and Positive Impact, even as we work through these changes. Thanks for all you do every day!
I love this time of year as our stores begin to look like fall with our Pumpkin Perfected promotion and then right into holiday stores. I think it brings energy to our teams and guests.
We know our guests look to us for so many of their holiday needs. So, let’s please make sure that we are ready this year to help them with their special moments around the holidays.
I also want to discuss the impacts that we are making around sustainability. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us; it’s a way of life. From when a product arrives at our stores to the second it leaves with a guest, our commitment to preserving the environment guides every action. This year and last, we’ve made incredible strides in our recycling programs, energy efficiency initiatives, and community outreach efforts. And none of it would have been possible without your relentless effort and passion.
To our frontline, logistics, supply chain, and warehouse team members, who meticulously sort recyclables, educate our guests, and ensure that our sustainability practices are upheld daily – you are the backbone of our company green initiatives, and we are grateful for your dedication! Some of you work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our guests are taken well care of, source sustainable products, and reduce waste at every step.
You all are the engine that keeps our business sustainability efforts moving forward.
To our management teams, store directors, and leadership teams, who set ambitious goals, lead by example, and contribute to United’s culture of sustainability, you are the visionaries guiding us toward a greener future. Your leadership ensures that every decision aligns with our core values, and your support empowers every team member to make a difference.
Throughout this edition of Spirit Magazine, you will see the many achievements in our sustainability efforts and this is only the beginning. Together, we are making a tangible difference that will be felt for generations.
Lastly, my wish for each of you is that you have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. Thanks for all you do for our company.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Sidney Hopper, President
Sustainability Report
BY EMMA MODISETTE
With compassion, teamwork, and dedication, The United Family tirelessly maintains its Recipe for Change for the planet, for people, and for the many communities that The United Family serves. Thanks to the generosity of United Family guests, and the hard work of our team members, we are creating brighter futures for our communities and contributing to a healthier planet.
As The United Family looks ahead, its commitment to sustainability, community, excellent service, and team support remains unwavering. Through the collective e orts of team members and the generous contributions of guests, The United Family contributes to a healthier planet and strengthens the communities it serves. Recipe for Change is more than a mission — it’s a testament to what can be achieved when people come together for the greater good.
EMBRACING SUSTAINABILITY
The United Family is always looking for ways to enhance its Positive Impact on communities and the planet. In addition to daily recycling initiatives and other sustainability programs, The United Family made some special efforts this past Earth Day as well. Here’s how we got involved with a local food bank and some local school districts!
BY CLARE KING
Pollinator Protecting Party
The South Plains Food Bank’s five-and-a-half-acre
Carolyn Lanier Youth Farm is home to locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for people experiencing food insecurity. The crops produced on this farm are used to help people across the Lubbock community who are struggling with hunger. This farm sustainably produces approximately 50,000 pounds of produce per year.
On April 10, 2024, The United Family partnered with One Tree Public and Colour Republic to build a multi-bed pollinator garden with perennials and trees. The garden will provide habitats for native pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
After raising $10,000 through the sale of special bouquets to support this project, floral teams from across the company then gathered in Lubbock to get their hands dirty and make a difference.
“We had our leadership teams from our floral departments from Taos, Dallas, Santa Fe, Lubbock, and Amarillo, all there to give back to the community,” said Bradley Gaines, director of floral for The United Family.
Investing in these pollinators will not only provide long-term benefits for other native plants, animals, and all of the produce on the farm, but it will also teach young adults job skills through the food bank’s grub program.
Shout out to the floral team for making a huge impact on our communities and the environment!
Bou-tifully done!
To see the news story, scan the QR code:
We’ve Got Sustainable Living in the Bag
After getting a little dirty to plant some new pollinator gardens, The United Family wanted to celebrate Earth Day with an annual project that would not only raise awareness about sustainability but to also educate the next generation about its importance.
On Earth Day, The United Family partnered with Lubbock Independent School District for a fun and artistic collaboration. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, students at ten elementary schools within the district were provided paper bags to decorate with special Earth Day messages.
At the event, Kathy Rollo, Lubbock ISD superintendent, said, “Lubbock ISD is again proud to partner with our longtime partners from The United Family for this annual Earth Day event. There’s no better way to celebrate than with our students, reaffirming our commitment to creating a better future for the next generation.”
The goal of the Earth Day-inspired paper bags is to highlight the importance of environmental conservation to guests and team members who encounter with these specially decorated bags.
“This art project has been a fantastic way to give children in our community an opportunity to engage with Earth Day in a fun and creative way,” said Abie Rampy, director of public relations for The United Family. “Whether through our reusable bag credit incentive, the LED lighting in our stores, or our recycling initiatives, The United Family is always looking for ways to be a more sustainable business. This art project helping to educate our community’s children is just another part of that.”
To see the news story, scan the QR code:
Striving for Sustainability
The United Family is out in its communities talking about sustainability, but what do we do to help achieve that mission for our planet?
Here are a few ways our company works to be more sustainable:
• At each of our retail locations, recyclables like plastics and cardboard are pressed into bales and sent back to the DC. From there, they are sent to recycling centers. In 2023, The United Family recycled 70,000 pounds of plastic, and over 17,000 tons of cardboard with these practices.
• The company sold 632,333 excess wooden pallets for reuse instead of sending them to the landfill.
• The company also uses plastic egg cartons, as opposed to cardboard or styrofoam. After the eggs reach the stores, the plastic cartons are sent back to the DC to be used again!
• Through the Organix food recycling program, we have diverted 2,415,398 pounds of food waste from being sent to the landfill.
• The company is in the process of switching to LED lights in all stores and the distribution center. LED lights are not only cost-effective, but also save energy.
• By moving the weekly paper ads to a digital format, we save 600 trees of paper annually — equivalent to 15,000 trees!
• In 2023, 6,704 ink and toner cartridges were recycled and disposed of properly.
• Lastly, The United Family has a reusable bag program that’s pretty hard to beat. Guests and team members who use reusable bags will receive a five-cent discount per bag at checkout. This not only cuts down on plastic waste but encourages sustainable practices.
From helping in community gardens to celebrating Earth Day to making recycling efforts each day. The United Family is proud to work towards a more sustainable future, every little thing we can do for sustainability makes a difference for our communities and planet!
BY CLARE KING
Dusty Clary, a market clerk at store #512 in Post, Texas was honored for his dedication and superior service by the Amity Study club.
“Dusty Clary, a market clerk at store #512 in Post, Texas, was honored by the Amity Study Club for his dedication and Ultimate Service. When our coolers went out, someone asked him if there was any sour cream. All the cooler items had been moved to the back and stored in tubs. Dusty went back there and dug through all the tubs to find one container of sour cream. That person never knew how hard it was to dig through all those tubs for just one container of sour cream. But that’s just Dusty, above and beyond.” said store director, Greg Castilo, “He really deserved this award. He is constantly displaying the teamwork and leadership that United is all about.”
The Amity Study Club of Post, Texas, is a social organization that focuses on inspiration and friendship. The club originated in 1942 and remains strong today with 20 members. Friendship is their motto – and their officers and committee members work hard to organize service projects, award outstanding community members, award scholarships, and give gifts to children at Christmas time.
When deciding on who to give this award to, the Amity Study Club deliberated, and the members had only positive things to say about Dusty. Dusty is always so cheerful, incredibly helpful, and encouraging. He is always asking about members’ families, he never complains about anything, and is a good example of a Post, Texas citizen! The club voted unanimously to recognize Dusty for this special award.
Dusty’s dedication to not only United Supermarkets, but the town of Post is clearly shown through his unwavering commitment and dedication to serving guests. The United Family is so thankful to Dusty for going above and beyond, and showing his community what it means to be a part of The United Family!
WHIPPED COTTAGE CHEESE
WITH CHERRIES
Sweet, creamy and protein-packed, this Whipped Cottage Cheese with Cherry Toast will start your morning off in the right direction. Cottage cheese sometimes gets a bad rep, but why? One serving of the Good Culture Cottage Cheese has around 120 calories, with around 11 grams of protein and less than 3 grams of carbs. That’s tough to beat! Paired with perfectly ripe cherries, this recipe will have you coming back for more!
INGREDIENTS
• 1 Piece of Sourdough
• ¼ c. Low Fat Good Culture Cottage Cheese
• Dash Vanilla Extract
• ¼ tsp. Balsamic Vinegar
• 3 Cherries
• Optional garnish: Mint
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small blender, whip the cottage cheese and vanilla extract together for 1 minute (or desired consistency)
2. Toast the sourdough
3. Pit the cherries and cut them in half
4. Toss cherries in a small bowl with vinegar
5. Once the toast has cooled, spoon on the whipped cottage cheese
6. Place the cherries on top and garnish as desired
SERVES 1
NUTRITIONAL FACTS
Calories: 153
Protein: 11g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 5g
Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 195mg
When scanning the shelves of the stores across The United Family. Guests can find products from around the country and even the world.
However, some of the most beloved products on our shelves come from within the communities we serve.
If you take a minute, most of us can probably think of something on the shelf in one of our stores that didn’t come from a national or international food brand but from one of our neighbors.
Whether it’s salsa, pasta sauce, wine, candy, or other types of items, these local products not only provide a greater selection for our guests, but also help bind our stores to the communities and regions we serve.
“The United Family has always been deeply rooted in our local communities and partners with local suppliers to bring Texas and New Mexico flavors to our guests,” said Tony Crumpton, CMO of The United Family. “We’re proud of our local legacy and continue to support fantastic local partnerships.”
But how do these partnerships begin? How do these products reach the shelves of our stores?
Well, for the first time, The United Family has developed a program to streamline the process of bringing outstanding local products into our stores and guests’ pantries – The Discovery Showcase.
In May, The United Family hosted its first-ever Discovery Showcase event, where people from across our communities could connect with our team to do business. Once local vendors made it through the application process, they were invited to Lubbock, Texas to meet with our team and discuss their product and why it fits in our stores.
Throughout the event, these local vendors were able to pitch their products, discuss logistics, hear from grocery experts on things like merchandising, and much more.
“We were blown away by the response from the vendor community and believe it will continue to grow in future years,” said Heather Smith, director of innovation for The United Family. “We heard nothing but positive feedback
from the visiting brands and partners, and I can’t wait to see all of the great new items we saw at Discovery Showcase start flowing into our stores.”
Business managers are still conducting product reviews and negotiations, but as of the last count, about 30 new brands are coming onto the shelves. The brands will be matched up with appropriate regions and banners.
One of the successful brands headed to The United Family stores is Wright’s Salsa, made in Houston, TX. Already in several other regional retailers, the husbandand-wife team introduced their product at the Round Top Antique Festival in April 2007.
In 2008, they entered the Houston Hot Sauce Festival and won second-place ribbons in the Red Sauce and Habanero divisions. Now, their famous salsas are headed to even more shelves with The United Family.
Another successful product to emerge from the Discovery Showcase is Kaurina’s Kulfi Ice Cream, made in Dallas, Texas. This father-and-son duo uses a family-recipe to create delicious ice cream, and they’re looking to grow. Not only will this partnership help them expand, but, they are also interested in helping The United Family with the Global Cuisine project to address gaps in our Indian / Halal offerings.
In addition to our service and community giving, incorporating these local and regional products into our stores is fundamental to helping link our stores to our communities. So, look for new local products next time you are in the store!
OWN BRANDS
BY: RILEY ADAMSON
Thousands of guests visit United Family stores daily to buy sustainable food products to feed their families.”
Now, more than ever, there’s a community-wide push to meet present needs without compromising those of future generations. Sustainability, in essence, involves maintaining a healthy and safe environment for both the present and future. It’s our responsibility to conserve natural resources and ecosystems, ensuring a better tomorrow for all.
Given the significant environmental impact of the grocery store industry, adopting sustainable practices in food sourcing is crucial.
At The United Family, we’re committed to integrating sustainability into our daily business decisions. By empowering team members, guests, and stakeholders, we aim to enhance lives, build vibrant communities, and contribute to a healthier planet.
One push we have made in our responsibility to maintain
sustainability is through one of our Own Brands, Waterfront Bistro. Waterfront Bistro was created in 2009, providing a convenient, at-home version of a high-quality seafood bistro experience.
Waterfront Bistro ensures that its seafood products are sourced in compliance with the Responsible Seafood Policy. This policy mandates sourcing seafood that meets sustainability standards. Transparency is a core value for Waterfront Bistro, as they prioritize tracing seafood back to legal and verifiable sources.
Open Nature, a brand committed to sustainability, offers guests delicious foods made from thoughtfully chosen ingredients, free from unnecessary additives.
Open Nature collaborates with the Safer Choice program to align with sustainability goals. Safer Choice assists consumers, businesses, and purchasers in identifying products that perform well while containing ingredients safer for
human health and the environment. To meet these goals, the program includes Alternative Assessment Partnerships, Pollution Prevention, Green Chemistry, Green Engineering, and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing initiative.
Additionally, Open Nature products are free from artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives, providing guests with numerous sustainable options. With the help of Open Nature, The United Family strives to make the planet a better place.
The United Family is guided by a commitment to having sustainable products in our stores so that we can protect our environment and communities. By conserving natural resources, we ensure that current and future generations are taken care of.
The United Family is dedicated to making every day a better day for our team members, guests, communities, and the planet through Waterfront Bistro and Open Nature.
COTTAGE CHEESE GUAC
Holy Guacamole! This fresh twist on the classic dip will surely make you green with envy. Guacamole is the perfect dip for a football watch party, taco night, or a casual afternoon snack. The Good Culture Cottage Cheese makes the guac extra creamy while adding a bit of protein without too many extra calories! Try this dip with classic tortilla chips, or keep things light with cucumbers, celery, carrots, or mini peppers. Hold on to this recipe and pull it back out for holiday season! This dip is sure to impress!
INGREDIENTS
• 4 Medium Avocados
• 1 c. Low-fat Good Culture Cottage Cheese
• ½ Bunch Cilantro
• ½ Small Onion
• 2 Roma Tomatoes
• ½ Small Jalapeno
• 1 Lime, Zest and Juice
• 2 tsp. Dried Garlic
• ¼ tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. Pepper
DIRECTIONS
1. Slice and roughly mash avocado in a large bowl
2. Stir in cottage cheese
3. Dice cilantro, onion, tomatoes and add to bowl
4. Mince jalapeno
5. Combine the rest of the ingredients by folding in gently
SERVES 12
NUTRITIONAL FACTS
Calories: 103
Protein: 3.5g
Carbohydrates: 6.5g
Fiber: 3.8g
Sugar: <1g
Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 2.5mg
Sodium: 268.75mg
a note of Thanks from
the north
When team members go above and beyond for guests, there’s no telling how far that impact can reach.
A guest entered our United Supermarkets in Canyon, Texas, in May of this year. They were only stopping through on their way to their vacation destination, Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, their interaction was so positive that they decided to stop at the store again on their way back home to Vancouver, British Columbia.
So, what happened that was so good a couple from Canada wanted to stop at our grocery store again while on vacation?
It’s simple. A team member went above and beyond helping these guests sample Boar’s Head cheese, a product they don’t have where they live. This interaction left such an impression that the guest took the time to mail a handwritten thank you note to us, thanking the store for “all the Boar’s Head cheese samples” and “for being part of my vacation memories.”
The letter was addressed to “Duncan (in the Deli).” The guest wrote, “You have allowed me to share a great story here of a very kind man!”
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Duncan and our entire team in Canyon for their exceptional service to these guests and all the guests who walk through their doors. This story is a powerful reminder that a positive attitude and commitment to going the extra mile can make a significantly impact on our guests. Even when it’s with something as simple as samples, our team’s dedication to service and hospitality shines through.
We can tell you one thing: this guest may not be able to shop with us every day, but next time she sees one of our stores on a road trip, we bet she’ll pull in for a pit stop! This is a testament to the value of our team’s efforts and the impact they can have on our guests. Keep up the great work!
May 2024
Dear Duncan,
I just wanted to thank you for all our Boar’s Head cheese “samples” when we were traveling through Amarillo on our way to Alburquerque, then Vancouver, BC. You have given me the opportunity to share a great story here of a very kind man!
Thank you for being part of my vacation memories!
P.S. Boar’s Head is not available in the Northwest. I’d buy the great mustard also!
Sincerely,
Catherine Guest
The Amarillo, Texas, community has been part of The United Family for a long time. With nine locations in the area, this community in the panhandle plays host to three of The United Family’s banners: United Supermarkets, Market Street, and Amigos.
SOMETHING NEW IS NOW OPEN.
For the first time in 24 years, the company opened a brand new Market Street location for guests to shop in the Amarillo community.
To date, this new Amarillo Market Street will be the largest location in The United Family, coming in at a whopping 80,000+ square feet. While that’s a lot of space, it will be full of the latest features and services the Market Street brand has to offer.
80,000+ ft2 & 300+ Jobs Created Something new
The staples will include a pharmacy with a drive-thru, Streetside, full-service floral, full-service bakery, ReadyMeals, and more. In addition, guests will have access to some special services like the concierge service, Smok’d BBQ, dry-aged beef in the meat market, Taphouse 16 and a various things unique to the Market Street banner.
If you haven’t heard of the Smok’d BBQ brand, it’s one of the newest additions to The United Family. The first location of Smok’d BBQ is located in United Supermarkets #657 in Lubbock. It offers an authentic Texas BBQ experience that will leave guests coming back for more.
We hope you visit this beautiful new location next time you’re in Amarillo, Texas.
is now open.
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• You have longer to redeem the points you earn! Points now expire at the end of the following month after earned.
• You choose how you use your points. Redeem at the pump to save up to $1 per gallon on fuel, or redeem points in the app or website for free items and cash discounts. You can also opt-in to automatically save at checkout.
• Our all new program has more free groceries than ever before! Download our mobile app or visit our website to clip your rewards prior to checkout.
STORE ANNIVERSARIES: MAKING MILESTONES
BY JOEY MARCADES
The company’s founder, H.D. Snell, believed in providing quality products, at fair prices, with exceptional service
As time passed, the company grew from a handful of stores to a booming business serving the dozens of communities it serves today — all while adhering to Snell’s famous words, “Do the right thing.”
Doing the right thing has been a tenant that has guided the company for over a century, and it’s part of the reason why a United Family store represents more than just groceries. A United Family store represents a lifeline
for people after a natural disaster, thousands of pounds of food for a local food bank, or even an army of U-Crew or A-Team volunteers when needed.
That’s why each year that United Family teams get to serve their communities is a reason to celebrate. Below are 13 stores that have reached significant milestones in their communities, with some having been rocks for their communities for more than 40 years.
Congratulations to all store team members for being part of a legacy of ultimate service, superior performance, and, most importantly, a Positive Impact!
