United Natural Foods to Close Wisconsin Distribution Center

Expansion in Illinois leads to shuttering of Sturtevant facility later this year.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:33am

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United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) announced plans to close its distribution center in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, later this year. The company cited an expansion of its distribution operations in Joliet, Illinois, as the reason for the Wisconsin facility's closure.

Why it matters

The closure of the Sturtevant location will impact an unknown number of employees, though UNFI says it is working to support affected workers through the transition. The move reflects UNFI's strategic focus on optimizing its distribution network to better serve the Chicago market.

The details

UNFI will be transitioning service from the Sturtevant distribution center and expanding its facility in Joliet, Illinois, to support the company's long-term growth plans in the Chicago area. The spokesperson stated that the 'modern technology investments' in Joliet are expected to increase the distribution center's capacity and improve service to UNFI's partners over time.

  • UNFI announced the closure plans on Monday, March 17, 2026.
  • The Sturtevant distribution center will be closing at some point later this year.

The players

United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI)

A leading distributor of natural, organic, specialty, produce, and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada.

Sturtevant, Wisconsin

The location of the UNFI distribution center that is set to close later this year.

Joliet, Illinois

The location of the UNFI distribution center that is being expanded to support the company's growth in the Chicago market.

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What’s next

It is unknown how many employees will be affected by the closure of the Sturtevant distribution center, though UNFI says it is working to support those workers through the transition.

The takeaway

This closure reflects UNFI's strategic focus on optimizing its distribution network to better serve the growing Chicago market, though it will come at the cost of job losses in Sturtevant. The company's investment in modernizing its Joliet facility signals its commitment to improving efficiency and service levels for its partners in the region.