Whole Foods employees say a major cyberattack on United Natural Foods (UNFI), the primary food distributor, has left some store shelves and freezers empty. The employee, who requested anonymity due to lack of media authorization, expressed frustration over the “complete lack of transparency” about the disruption. Nearly every department at Whole Foods has been impacted, causing customers increasing distress.
UNFI disclosed the cyberattack and its impact on business on Monday, leading to a 7% stock plunge. The company is now shipping to customers only on a limited basis due to significant supply disruptions. Whole Foods will not provide details on how many locations have been affected but assures that restocking efforts are underway.
Customers and employees alike have taken to social media, sharing photos of empty shelves and delivery problems. Some small businesses, like Jennie Scheinbach’s Pattycake Bakery in Ohio, report severe supply chain disruptions due to UNFI’s inability to communicate effectively.
UNFI CEO Sandy Douglas acknowledged the cyberattack and pledged to review existing cybersecurity protocols. The company is working with customers and suppliers “transparently” to address the situation. Analysts have questioned the timing of UNFI’s disclosure, noting that shares began falling before last Thursday, when the company became aware of the breach.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/10/business/whole-foods-cyber-attack-unfi