COMMERCE, Calif., Feb. 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Super King Markets was announced as the recipient of Unified Grocers’ 2016 “Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award” at a special awards dinner last night in Los Angeles. The award is named after Ben Schwartz, the 96-year old former Unified Chairman of the Board. Schwartz was in attendance at the awards dinner.

Alicia, Jake and Peter Fermanian with Ben Schwartz Vache Fermanian and Ben Schwartz Unified Grocers President and CEO Bob Ling (left) presents the award to Vache, Peter and Mary Fermanian

“This is the eleventh 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 Super King and the Fermanian family for being part of our family,” said Bob Ling, President and Chief Executive Officer, Unified Grocers, in presenting the award.

“The Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award is given annually to the company in our membership that best embodies the spirit of Ben. There are lots of great stories of success in our membership, but I can think of no better recipient for this award. Super King has built a reputation as a forward-looking, creative and visionary company and I’m excited to see them grow and thrive as a Unified member in the years ahead.”

The Fermanian family opened the first Super King store in Anaheim in 1993. The company has grown and evolved, building a strong market share in and around Los Angeles. Today, Super King operates six markets, with locations in Anaheim, Altadena, Claremont, Van Nuys, Northridge and Los Angeles.

“Ben Schwartz is a legend in our business and it’s an honor to receive this prestigious award. My thanks to Unified,” said Super King co-founder Vache Fermanian in accepting the award surrounded by the rest of the Fermanian family on stage.

In addition to the award that was presented to Super King Markets, a duplicate is on permanent display in the lobby of Unified’s headquarters building in Commerce, Calif. A plaque recognizing Super King Markets has been added to the permanent award.

The video shown at the awards dinner honoring Super King is available for download on Unified’s Facebook page.

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, which generated approximately
$4.1 billion in sales during fiscal 2015, offers independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry. For more information about Unified Grocers, visit: http://www.unifiedgrocers.com.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fb97e702-a63b-45c4-814f-bf972b10d2d8

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0096fcb3-bd5f-4d62-9d77-7fea63f64e1e

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a59b246b-ae4f-41aa-8069-ce5d267a819a

Paul Dingsdale
Communications Director
(323) 881-4150
PDingsdale@unifiedgrocers.com