The nation’s largest grocery distributor, United Natural Foods, Inc., is implementing sweeping changes across its network, triggering hundreds of layoffs in Wisconsin, Indiana, and other regions as it restructures its operations. The layoffs are a result of efforts to streamline operations and boost efficiency.
Wisconsin distribution center closure cuts 443 jobs (2026)
UNFI announced it will shut down its distribution center in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, eliminating 443 jobs in one of the state’s largest recent food-sector layoffs. The facility, which opened in 2014 as a Midwest hub, will wind down operations this summer, with layoffs expected between late June and early August.
The company said the closure is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Work from the Wisconsin facility will be shifted to a distribution center in Joliet, Illinois, which is being expanded and upgraded with automation technology.
Indiana closure signals earlier phase of restructuring (2025)
The Wisconsin shutdown follows a similar move in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where UNFI closed a distribution center in February 2025, impacting 157 workers. The company said at the time it would transition operations to “modernized” facilities within its network.
Together, the Indiana and Wisconsin closures highlight a multi-year effort to consolidate operations and reduce costs across its supply chain.
Layoffs in Pennsylvania (2025)
UNFI cut more than 700 jobs in Pennsylvania last year as it shut down a major distribution center in Schnecksville. The layoffs impacted approximately 716 employees, and occurred between August and October 2025…