LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unified Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the western United States, today announced that "Natural Directions," a brand of organic and natural products that is exclusively distributed by Unified, is partnering with Gelson's Markets in Southern California to help support the Society of Design Administration's (SDA) 6th Annual Canstruction LA Event, being held October 7–19, 2011 at the Westfield Culver City Shopping Mall, 6000 Sepulveda Boulevard, Culver City, Calif.
Canstruction is a unique community service project developed by the SDA and held in cities throughout North America to provide hunger relief. Canstruction LA invites teams of prominent Los Angeles architects, engineers, and designers to showcase their talents by designing giant structures made entirely out of canned foods that will be judged and awarded prizes for "Juror's Favorite," "Best Meal," "Best Use of Labels," and "Structural Ingenuity." At the event's completion, the cans will be donated to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Last year, more than 1,000 cans of Natural Directions product were donated by Unified member retailer, Metropolitan Market, based in Seattle Wash., for a Canstruction project that won the Juror's Favorite Award at the 2010 Seattle Canstruction Event. The award-winning structure illustrated how Seattle's historic Smith Tower could be repurposed into a "vertical farm."
Tod Marks, Executive Director, Market Centre, said, "We are delighted that cans of Natural Directions product will be incorporated into another unique Canstruction project that will not only showcase the brand, but ultimately help people in need."
Bob Stiles, President, Gelson's Markets, said, "Supporting charitable activities in our community has always been part of Gelson's culture. The Canstruction LA Event is a very fun and interesting way for us to interact with people throughout our community and at the same time help eliminate hunger."
About Gelson's Markets
Founded in 1951 by brothers Bernard and Eugene Gelson, Gelson's Markets is recognized today as one of the nation's premier supermarket chains. Each of Gelson's Southern California store locations is singularly known as the area's best market for superior produce, highest quality meat, seafood and deli, an unmatched selection of wine and liquor, and exceptional service. Gelson's has eighteen retail locations in: Calabasas, Century City, Dana Point, Encino, Hollywood, Irvine, Marina del Rey, Newport Beach, Northridge, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake/Los Feliz, Tarzana, Valley Village/NoHo, West Hollywood, and Westlake Village. Please visit www.gelsons.com for more information.
About Unified Grocers, Inc. Founded in 1922, Unified Grocers is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $4 billion in sales during fiscal 2010, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry.
The Unified Grocers, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1214
The Natural Directions Logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5069
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements about the future performance of Unified Grocers based on Management's assumptions and beliefs in light of information currently available to it. There are a variety of factors that could cause actual and future results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made above. These factors are outlined in the Company's Form 10-K and other interim reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Furthermore, Unified undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.