Press Releases

(LOS ANGELES) — Processing milk and baking bread aren't what they used to be in the nation's second largest consumer food market.

Over the last several decades, a large number of independent Los Angeles-based dairies and bakeries — some of which dated back to the 1920s — have either closed, have been acquired or have merged with companies not currently based in Los Angeles.  Only a handful of independently-owned manufacturing facilities remain in Los Angeles — successful survivors in a rapidly consolidating business environment.

Unified Western Grocers (formerly Certified Grocers of California), the second largest private company in Los Angeles in 2003 (Los Angeles Business Journal), owns and operates two of these remaining independent Los Angeles-based food manufacturing facilities — a milk processing plant and a full-service bakery, both of which are located in South Los Angeles.  These facilities have provided quality dairy and bakery products to Southern California consumers for a number of years, and in 2004, both facilities are celebrating their 30th anniversary of ownership by Unified Western Grocers.

"We are very proud of the accomplishments of both of these facilities," said Al Plamann, president and chief executive officer, Unified Western Grocers.  "In addition to satisfying millions of Southern California consumers with quality Golden Crème™ dairy and bakery products for 30 years, both of these plants have steadily contributed to the local economy by providing thousands of jobs for area residents over the years."

To celebrate its 30 years in the Southern California food manufacturing business, Unified is conducting a consumer sweepstakes on behalf of its Golden Crème dairy and bakery products.  The sweepstakes includes more than $30,000 in cash and prizes that will be awarded to 30 consumers in a random drawing.  Entry forms and rules for the Golden Crème sweepstakes can obtained at the following participating retailers:

Five grand prize winners will each receive a $2,500 supermarket shopping spree and a one year's supply of Golden Crème dairy products or baked goods. Twenty-five second place winners will receive a $250 supermarket shopping spree and a one year's supply of Golden Crème products. Deadline for entry in the sweepstakes is Sept. 19, 2004.

Shoppers purchasing any three Golden Crème products will receive (upon proof of purchase) a free framed family picture from a portrait photography crew that will make scheduled stops at participating retail stores. Consult individual retailers for photography schedules and times.

Unified Western Grocers also will donate to the Weingart Center Association every time a Golden Crème product is purchased at a participating retail store through September 19, 2004.The Los Angeles-based Weingart Center Association is a not-for-profit organization that assists the homeless and the poverty-stricken throughout the metropolitan area.

The actual 30^th anniversary of Unified's Manufacturing Division will be celebrated at on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at Unified's Bakery manufacturing facility, 457 East Martin Luther King Blvd, Los Angeles, beginning at 10 a.m.  The event, which will include food, entertainment, and plant tours of both manufacturing facilities, is open to Unified's retail members, company employees and their guests, and representatives from the local community.

"Our manufacturing division has proudly served Southern California retailers and their customers since 1974," said Plamann. "The Golden Crème consumer sweepstakes and the upcoming anniversary event are our way of saying thanks to everyone who's helped Golden Crème products remain a Southern California favorite for the past three decades."

Unified Western Grocers, Inc. is a retail-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $2.8 billion is sales during fiscal 2003, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry.