CY '19 Edition, 5/18

Consumer behavior and buying patterns change five times each year, following the seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Holiday. UNFI's Seasonal Essentials program engages retailers and the UNFI Sales Team with the best products for seasonally-themed promotions.

PROGRAM DETAILS• Five per year, available to all UNFI customers• Themes for seasonal promotions and merchandising• Pre-order options available for applicable products• Digital publications; Holiday includes digital and print• Full and half-page ads available (Preorder Full Page Only)• Front-inside and back page sponsorships available• Ads include line listings

BENEFITS• Early distribution of your monthly specials promotions to

facilitate retail planning• Engages and focuses the UNFI Sales Team and retailers• Increased visibility - small-themed publication• Educational Webinar highlighting suppliers for UNFI Sales Team• Publications highlighted on section of UNFI Customer Portal

Questions? Please contact your SM to determine if this program is right for you.

Engage the UNFI

Sales Team

2019 Seasonal Essentials: Selling the 5 Retail Seasons

Stay inStep with

Consumer Buying

Patterns

UNFI SEASONAL ESSENTIALS SCHEDULEEdition Pre-order Distribution Buy It Now Distribution Promotional MonthsWinter October '18 Mid-November '18 Jan, Feb & MarSpring Mid-November '18 Mid-November '18 Mar, Apr & May

Summer March '19 March '19 June, July & AugAutumn Mid-May '19 Mid-May '19 Aug, Sept & OctHoliday May '19 May '19 Oct, Nov & Dec

CY '19 Edition, 5/18

NEW YEAR, NEW YOUAfter the indulgences and stress of the holidays, consumers are ready for a change. Some want to clean up their diets, others want something new and everyone is ready for a fresh start.

• New Flavors: Entrees, sauces, snacks, beverages and more.• Diet Trends: Clean eating, healthier choice as well as weight loss support.

Raw fermented, high protein, gluten free.• Supplements: Basic nutrition as well as targeted supplements.• Renewal Time for Both Body and Mind: Get everything in order including

the house after the hectic holiday months.• Comfort Foods: Pizza, frozen entrees, pot pies, mac and cheese, soups and

stews.

VALENTINE'S DAYSo many ways to show love.

• Pre-order Valentine's candy and gift sets• Personal care with delicious fragrances• Soaps, lotions, body wash and more• Candles

PARTY SNACKSGame day gatherings require snacks

• Chips, salsas • Cheese• Crackers • Frozen appetizers • Olives, pickles • Hot dogs• Jerky snacks • Beverages

Questions? Please contact your SM to determine if this program is right for you.

Multiple Focused Themes

Highlight First Quarter Promotions

2019 Seasonal Essentials:Winter ThemesPromotional Months: January, February and March

CY '19 Edition, 5/18

Questions? Contact your SM to determine if this program is right for you.

SPRING CELEBRATIONA time to gather family, friends and a festival of food (and religious celebrations)

• Easter: Traditional foods for the holiday – Easter baskets, sweets and healthy alternatives

• Passover: Sacred and weeklong festival. Get your Kosher products lined up for Seders

HEALTH BY NATUREEarth Day around the globe: Earth-inspired foods. Roots and grains, products made with sprouted nuts and seeds, spring fruits and veggies, fish, ancient grains.

FRESHEN THE HOMESpring clean the house - let nature in: Cleaning supplies and accessories, candles, air fresheners

OUTSIDE THE BOXLunch ideas. Roasted meats and fish, yogurt, cheese, toasted nuts and eggs, cooked vegetables with a mustardy vinaigrette or serving cooked rice in a new way.

DONT FORGET THE FURRY FRIENDSCelebrate Pet Health Month with healthy dog foods, treats and more.

Fresh New Options

Get Back to Nature

2019 Seasonal Essentials:Spring ThemesPromotional Months: March, April and May

CY '19 Edition, 5/18

Questions? Contact your SM to determine if this program is right for you.

GRILL AND CHILLBBQ and picnic essentials (charcoal, paper goods, cooking utensils, sunscreen/bug spray, food and beverages with a refreshing flavor. Ice cream (dairy and dairy alternatives), frozen drinks, finger foods, pizzas and sandwiches.

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFULCelebrating 4th of July. Traditional American foods and beverages and the fusion of ethnic foods that make the U.S. the melting pot of today.

DIP INTO SUMMERSeasonal/regional bumper crops and everything possible to dip into or pour over: Dressings, mix‘n dips, sauces, dry rubs, marinades, briny sea salts and sugars – the ol' standard flavors and new options.

BEAT THE HEAT• The Last Blast: Last days of summer eating celebration. Creative salad

toppers, dressings, mix’n dips, non-traditional add-ins to picnic foods.• Savoring Summer: Enjoy the last mix of summer foods. Add an ethnic/

gourmet spin, casual culinary creative – tahini pasta salad, potato salads – olive oils, salt slabs for grilling.

• Gear Up for Back to School: Bounty of easy recipes, simple solutions, grab ‘n go, the complete meal, everyone gearing up for back to school, less daylight, longer days of work etc. Wind down and gear up.

Foods Thatare Fun

in the Sun

But Not Too Early

to Get Ready for Fall

2019 Seasonal Essentials:Summer ThemesPromotional Months: June, July and August

CY '19 Edition, 5/18

Questions? Contact your SM to determine if this program is right for you.

BACK TO SCHOOLMeals that are easy, quick and healthy. Fresh fruits or vegetables with dips or hummus, string cheese, nuts and dried fruits, nutrition bars, and whole grain breads get an A+.

EAT, DRINK, AND BE SCARYTortilla chips and popcorn balls, fruit snacks and pretzel sacks. Halloween isn’t just about candy anymore. With these healthier alternatives you can indulge for more than just one night. Creative treats – apples – nuts – caramel-covered everything!

HELLO HARVESTSummer grilling is over, it’s time to come back inside to the kitchen for earthy, warm flavors and the blazing colors of the harvest. Seasonal vegetables are front and center along with apples, apples and more apples. Jams, cranberry-infused cheese, maple BBQ sauce. Don’t forget canning and pickling accessories to preserve the harvest.

COZY COMFORTSWhen the temperature’s dropping and the wind’s howling, the best thing to do is to get inside and warm your belly. Chicken soup and mac & cheese, spaghetti, grilled cheese, and biscuits. It feels like a snuggle after a hard day. And, don’t forget the hot toddy mix – you deserve it.

It’s Harvest Season

Time for Comfort Foods

2019 Seasonal Essentials:Autumn ThemesPromotional Months: August, September and October

CY '19 Edition, 5/18

Questions? Contact your SM to determine if this program is right for you.

HOLIDAYKeep the traditions and start some new ones. Pumpkin eggnog, cherry chutney, cardemom shortbread. Make the holidays a taste adventure.

PIES AND SIDESThe supporting cast around the main course – bounty of the season especially when it comes to squashes, savory side dishes, and sweet confections. Scratch can always use a bit of help with canned pumpkin, spice mixes, specialty fruits and nuts found in plentitude around this season. Tradition just got easier.

FOOTBALLFootball is about the food almost as much as the game. Nachos, ribs, wings. Go big or go home. Game day appetizers and finger food favorites – chips, dips, nachos, sliders, popcorn, cookies, brownies. Game day drinks – Margaritas, Bloody Mary’s. Plates, napkins and paper goods.

TIS THE SEASONINGSStock up on the standards like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary and thyme. Try something new like cardamom, star anise, saffron, cumin, turmeric or curry. Celebrate the season with world flavors that excite and satisfy.

HolidayEssentials

Go Big or Go Home

2019 Seasonal Essentials:HolidayPromotional Months: October, November and December