Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets Wins Unified Grocers’ 2017 Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award

COMMERCE, Calif., June 15, 2017 -- Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets was announced as the recipient of Unified Grocers’ 2017 Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award at a special luncheon held today in Medford, Oregon. The award is named after Ben Schwartz, former Unified Chairman of the Board and nationally recognized retail visionary. Schwartz celebrates his 100^th birthday next month.

Sherm and Wanda Olsrud (front) with their son Steve (back, center).

The award that carries Ben’s name is presented to an independent retail grocer or grocery company that’s a leader and innovator in the retail grocery industry and a pillar of their local community. It recognizes retailers who have consistently demonstrated initiative, creativity and leadership within their businesses and, in the process, have inspired others. This is the twelfth year that Unified has given the award to an outstanding independent retailer.

“On behalf of the entire Unified team, I’d like to congratulate and thank Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets and the Olsrud family — Sherm, Wanda and their son Steve — for being part of our family,” said Bob Ling, President and Chief Executive Officer, Unified Grocers.

In presenting the award, Ling said, “Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets certainly embody the values on which the award was built. For 50 years, the Olsrud family has been committed not only to their customers and their staff but also to the communities they serve. Their passion for innovation, quality and value for money is clearly evident as you walk through their stores and reflected in their long and successful history. The Olsruds also do a tremendous amount of good through their charity work — especially in support of organizations dedicated to helping children in need in Southern Oregon.”

Sherm and Wanda Olsrud opened the first Sherm’s Thunderbird Market in Medford in 1967. The company has grown and today operates three Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets (in Klamath Falls and Roseburg in addition to the original Medford location) and a Sherm’s Food4Less store in Medford. Sherm’s employs more than 620 local associates.

The video shown at the awards luncheon honoring Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets is available for download on Unified’s Facebook page.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/00781edf-8547-4cb0-98f5-25e476d0289c

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 year 2016, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry. For more information about Unified Grocers, visit: www.unifiedgrocers.com.

Contact: Paul Dingsdale, Communications Director
(323) 881-4150
[email protected]