The UNFI Cyber Attack: A Reminder About How Lucky We Are
You’ve probably seen the posts on empty shelves, frustrated shoppers, and plenty of noise online about the UNFI cyberattack. It’s a big disruption. UNFI, one of the largest food distributors in North America, had to shut down critical systems after a cyber breach on June 5, affecting tens of thousands of stores, including Whole Foods and Cub Foods. Pharmacies were hit, too, though you wouldn’t always know it from the coverage.
Watching the reactions, I can’t help but notice how quick we are to vent frustration or spread fear when something interrupts the smooth flow of our grocery stores. And sure, that frustration is real and understandable. But it also shines a light on just how privileged we are.
We live in a world where running an errand to the store is an everyday thing. Most of us don’t have to grow food, raise animals, or worry about where our next meal comes from. We expect the shelves to be full, but it feels like a shock when they're not.
This attack on UNFI is a stark reminder of how complex and fragile the systems behind our food supply really are. It’s a vast, interconnected web that we often take for granted. And yes, disruptions can ripple far and wide, touching everything from groceries to medications.
What also stands out is how easy it is for misinformation to spread. Some of the empty shelf photos circulating are actually from past crises, like the pandemic. The hyper-focus on the system only when things go wrong is telling. It’s a system built to make life easier, and when it falters, we notice, but often without full context.
A question I see a lot is: Why would hackers do this? Are they just trying to mess with stock prices? The answer is complicated. Hackers are a mixed bag. Yes, some cybercriminals want ransom money and will target a company to make quick cash. Others operate with political or strategic motives, such as nation-states wanting to disrupt critical infrastructure, send a message, or gain an advantage in broader conflicts. Sometimes, attacks start with social engineering, tricking employees into handing over access, and they grow from there.
It’s not always about money. Food and agriculture are part of critical infrastructure, meaning any disruption can have huge ripple effects on society. That makes them tempting targets for those looking to cause chaos, sow distrust, or destabilize economies. This isn’t just “hacking for fun” or stock manipulation; it’s about power, influence, and sometimes conflict playing out in cyberspace.
So maybe this moment isn’t just about the cyberattack itself. It’s a chance to step back and reflect on how much we depend on a system that, while incredibly sophisticated, is vulnerable and under pressure. It’s also a reminder that, despite the current hiccups, we still have access to food in abundance a luxury not everyone shares.
No one has all the answers to how we fix these challenges. But taking a breath, acknowledging the privilege in our daily lives, and understanding the complexity behind the scenes feels like a good place to start.
Read more about the incident:
United Natural Foods cyberattack disrupts services and systems
Stay safe, stay curious,
Kristin King
