Performance Foodservice-NorthCenter, a foodservice distribution company based in Augusta, supports the community in more ways than one. In addition to supplying food to thousands of businesses and schools in Maine, New Hampshire and Boston, NorthCenter has supported United Way of Kennebec Valley (UWKV) for more than 30 years, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Through a corporate gift and donations from many generous employees, NorthCenter establishes itself as one of United Way’s 12 Cornerstone Partners, which collectively make up more than 45 percent of UWKV’s annual campaign. Several NorthCenter employees have also served on United Way’s Board of Directors and various committees.

NorthCenter credits its dedicated staff for cultivating an ongoing feeling of generosity toward United Way, according to Joyce Sawtelle, NorthCenter’s vice president of Human Resources and a United Way board member.

“Our associates make this company great, and their United Way contributions are a true reflection of their community commitment,” Sawtelle said.

Beyond contributing to United Way’s annual campaign, NorthCenter hosts the United Way’s Food Pantry Project, for which employees generously collect non-perishable items to donate to local food banks. Several NorthCenter employees also volunteer with Day of Caring, United Way’s annual event that connects student volunteers from 18 local schools with work projects throughout Kennebec Valley.

NorthCenter’s roots in the Augusta community run deep. What began in the 1960s as the modest Joseph Kirschner Company, selling meat products to restaurants and drive-ins, developed into NorthCenter Foodservice when H. Allen Ryan purchased the business in 1982. In 1999, NorthCenter Foodservice merged with Performance Food Group of Richmond, Virginia, to become a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the one of the largest food service distribution companies in the U.S. That same year, ID Magazine recognized NorthCenter with the “Great Distributor Organization” award, which is presented to the most outstanding foodservice distributor in the United States.

Today NorthCenter’s product line bolsters approximately 12,000 items, which are warehoused and shipped from a facility measuring 3 million cubic feet. NorthCenter sources food from local farmers and companies whenever possible to help strengthen the New England economy and reduce the environmental impact of food distribution.

For more information about Performance Foodservice-NorthCenter, visit performancefoodservice.com. To learn more about becoming a corporate partner with United Way, visit uwkv.org or call 207-626-3400.