Supervalu expands partnership with Western Beef

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu will serve as the primary grocery supplier for retailer Western Beef beginning in January 2012, the company announced Tuesday.

Supervalu, which currently supplies Western Beef’s two stores in Florida, now will include an additional 22 of Western Beef’s conventional stores and five of their limited assortment stores in New York and New Jersey, along with a third Florida store that is slated to open soon.

Supervalu said its Lancaster, Pa.-based distribution center will supply the 27 Western Beef stores in New York and New Jersey, while the two Florida stores (and third pending store) will continue to be supplied by Supervalu’s Southeast region.

“This is an exciting time for Supervalu as we expand our relationship with Western Beef and increase our presence in the New York market,” said Kevin Kemp, president of Supervalu’s eastern region. “For decades, Western Beef has done an excellent job of serving customers in its local markets. With this expanded partnership, Western Beef will be able to increase the variety of products offered in their Northeast stores while taking advantage of a wide array of support services that we offer.”