In 1962, a few cooperative food distributors from around the southeast formed an organization known as the, “Southeastern Food Cooperative Association,” (SFCA). Over the years, growth from outside the southeast occurred as cooperatives recognized the numerous advantages of participating in a cooperative only environment. Due to the new geographic locations of its members, and the changing demands of the retailer owned segment of the food industry, the name, Southeastern Food Cooperative Association, did not appropriately identify its members. So in 1988, a name change of the association was approved by its Board of Directors, and thus the new name, Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA) emerged.