Cyberattacks Target Food Supply Chains
What happened
A major cyberattack hit Texas’s largest fresh food distributor, threatening food supplies to military bases and schools @YouTube.
Why it matters
The attack on Ben E. Keith Co. in March 2023, a major Texas-based food distributor, caused widespread disruptions, impacting restaurants across a 14-state area. The company proactively disabled its business systems after detecting "unusual activity" to minimize risk to its operations and customers. Restaurants, including Raising Cane's, Sonic Drive-In, and Cava, experienced product shortages and closures due to the halted deliveries. Olde Orchard Restaurant in Yukon, OK, had to temporarily close because they didn't receive shipments. In June 2025, United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), a primary distributor for Whole Foods, also faced a cyberattack. The company detected unauthorized activity on June 5 and took systems offline, which led to temporary disruptions. Some customers reported empty shelves at Whole Foods. UNFI is working to restore its systems and has notified law enforcement and hired cybersecurity experts. The company is also trying to minimize disruption by working closely with customers and suppliers.
Key numbers
- in March 2023, a major Texas-based food distributor, caused widespread disruptions, impacting restaurants across a 14-state area.
- The company detected unauthorized activity on June 5 and took systems offline, which led to temporary disruptions.
Sources
Quick answers
What happened in Cyberattacks Target Food Supply Chains?
A major cyberattack hit Texas’s largest fresh food distributor, threatening food supplies to military bases and schools @YouTube.
Why does Cyberattacks Target Food Supply Chains matter?
The attack on Ben E. Keith Co. in March 2023, a major Texas-based food distributor, caused widespread disruptions, impacting restaurants across a 14-state area. The company proactively disabled its business systems after detecting "unusual activity" to minimize risk to its operations and customers. Restaurants, including Raising Cane's, Sonic Drive-In, and Cava, experienced product shortages and closures due to the halted deliveries. Olde Orchard Restaurant in Yukon, OK, had to temporarily close because they didn't receive shipments. In June 2025, United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), a primary distributor for Whole Foods, also faced a cyberattack. The company detected unauthorized activity on June 5 and took systems offline, which led to temporary disruptions. Some customers reported empty shelves at Whole Foods. UNFI is working to restore its systems and has notified law enforcement and hired cybersecurity experts. The company is also trying to minimize disruption by working closely with customers and suppliers.
