Associated Food Stores welcomed members of its vendor and broker community to the Farr West Distribution Center on Dec. 11 for the annual Farr West Vendor Luncheon, a long-standing tradition that recognizes the partnerships behind the cooperative’s fresh operations.
Hosted by the Fresh team, led by Todd Jensen, Ryan Barnes, Daniel Hilgenberg, and Leigh Vaughn, the event brought together approximately 130 vendors representing nearly every corner of the fresh supply chain. Companies including Rodon, Apex and Horizon gathered in the Powerhouse Room for an afternoon focused on connection, appreciation and collaboration.
“We love to do this, because we can’t do our jobs without our broker and vendor community,” said Leigh Vaughn, director of produce. “We really want to make them feel like they’re a valuable part of our entire system, and this is a great way to do that.”
The luncheon created space for vendors to connect directly with AFS team members across roles and departments, from leadership to administrative support. Leigh emphasized the mutual value of the event, noting that it allows AFS to highlight the people who do the daily work of keeping fresh products moving while also strengthening relationships that support the entire value chain.
“We’re in such a high-pressure situation every day, all year long,” Leigh said. “So we feel it’s very important to spend time together in a low-pressure social atmosphere with our friends at the end of a year who helped us achieve success.”
A highlight of the event was the meal itself, featuring Certified Angus Beef prime rib prepared and sliced by Ryan Barnes and Clint Hoyt. The luncheon was supported by teams from across the organization, including Farr West team members Jamie Stoughton and Nicole Flatt, who helped coordinate logistics, and the ARO deli team led by Brandon Allred, who provided the sides and accompaniments.
The luncheon reflected the cooperative spirit that defines AFS, underscoring how success in fresh depends on strong partnerships and shared effort across teams and vendors alike.
“It was a delicious and amazing event,” Leigh said.
Now held annually for decades, the Farr West Vendor Luncheon remains a meaningful way for AFS to pause, say thank you and recognize the relationships that help drive excellence throughout the year.