Do I have to get the vaccine?
UNFI believes that vaccines are an important solution in slowing and eventually ending the COVID-19 spread. We encourage our associates to get the vaccine but we are not mandating it.

Can I get the vaccine now?
Vaccines are now widely available. Find your state in the State-by-State Guide on this page to locate a vaccine near you, or visit www.cdc.gov for more information.

Am I a front-line essential worker?
UNFI distribution center associates and field sales / retail associates are considered front-line essential workers in a Critical Infrastructure Industry. UNFI associates who are currently working remotely due to the pandemic are not considered front-line essential workers.

I work in a different state than I live in. Where do I get the vaccine?
You should look to be vaccinated in the state where you live.

I’ve heard there are a number of different vaccines out on the market.  Which one should I get?
Whichever one you can.  There are three vaccines currently available in the United States: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots spaced several weeks apart.  The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires one shot.  On Aug. 23, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which is now being marketed as Comirnaty. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines continue to be available under the FDA’s emergency use authorization. All have been determined to be highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, or death.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should get vaccinated with the first vaccine available to you as this will help protect everyone, including you, from COVID-19.  If you have specific questions about vaccines, please contact your health care provider.

Do I need to wear a mask to work?
UNFI has revised its Face Covering/Mask Policy, effective Wednesday, March 2, 2022. This means that associates at eligible locations* can choose to unmask if both of the following apply:

• It has been two weeks after receiving a complete series of a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or after the second of two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines). Boosters are not currently required to be considered fully vaccinated.
• A completed vaccination card is uploaded to Origami.

*Eligible locations include most DCs, unless state or local regulations require otherwise, such as: Centralia (until March 12), Commerce, Gilroy, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Ridgefield (until March 12), Santa Fe Springs. Masks are required in all of LA County and Santa Clara County in California. Associates who work directly with or at customer locations must follow any customer requirements that exist. Aside from the Providence office, which requires vaccination to enter, all other offices remain closed, but to the extent that associates are working onsite, this also applies.

When I’m not at work, what can I do to protect myself and prevent spreading COVID-19 to my co-workers?
UNFI believes that vaccination is a critical part in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and we encourage you to consider becoming vaccinated as soon as you have the opportunity, to help protect yourself, your family, and our communities. The more people you are in contact with, the higher your risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and possibly spreading it to others. If you are not vaccinated, by wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet from people who don’t live with you, washing your hands often and avoiding crowds, you can reduce your risk and help to protect those around you.

Does UNFI provide testing?
UNFI has partnered with Quest Diagnostics to provide associates with one free self-collection COVID-19 testing kit*.  Please reach out to your HR team to receive information on how to obtain a kit.

Air-travelers (business-critical purposes) can request and receive two at-home test kits – one for pre-trip and one for post-trip – 8 days prior to travel start date. If there is not enough time to receive a pre-trip test, associates may request one post-travel test. To order the kits, book travel in Concur, then email the Traveler Order Form to the Associate Contact Center (ACC) at ACCinquiry@unfi.com.

*Applicable to U.S.-based UNFI associates who are deemed symptomatic or who have had close contact with a confirmed positive case. Offer excludes retail and pharmacy associates.

Learn more about COVID-19 and the vaccines here.

Frequently Asked Questions