"Becoming the first coast-to-coast certified organic distributor is a testimony
of our steadfast commitment to the organic mission, our suppliers, our
customers, and to the consumer," said Ron Lautrup, United Natural Foods'
National Commodities Director.
Ellen P. Holton, Marketing Director for QAI, applauded UNFI's efforts saying,
"UNFI's organic certification is the result of months of planning, hard work and
diligence. This process involved a comprehensive review of UNFI's operating,
purchasing, and audit trail systems and procedures. The task of choosing to
certify its entire distribution network demonstrates UNFI's commitment to
preserving organic integrity through the entire supply chain. We are fortunate
to count UNFI among our clients who champion the growth and support of the
organic industry."
According to Daniel Atwood, United Natural Foods' National Vice President of
Marketing, UNFI's motivation in selecting QAI as its organic certification
provider is evident. "UNFI is the leader in organic and natural products
distribution in the U.S. and QAI is the leader in global organic certification.
It is a perfect match that our two companies work together and continue to
promote and grow the organic industry."
About United Natural Foods, Inc.: Based in Dayville, Connecticut, United Natural
Foods, Inc. carries and distributes over 30,000 products to more than 7,000
customers nationwide. The Company serves a wide variety of retail formats
including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores and
independent retail operators. For more information on United Natural Foods,
Inc., visit the Company's web site at www.unfi.com .
About Quality Assurance International: QAI has offices in the U.S., Canada and
Japan, with operations in Latin America. QAI verifies organic and other claims
for more than 2,700 client locations. These include agricultural producers,
contract packing operations, primary manufacturers and trader- distributors.
QAI's certification programs are designed to verify compliance at every link of
the product handling chain. This assures the consumer that product integrity is
preserved in the marketplace. For further information on QAI, visit the
Company's website at www.qai-inc.com .
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995: Statements in this press release regarding United Natural's business which
are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and
uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could
cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to general business conditions, the impact
of competition and our dependence on principal customers, see "Risk Factors" in
the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on June
13, 2002, and its other filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date
made. United Natural is not undertaking to update any information in the
foregoing reports until the effective date of its future reports required by
applicable laws.
SOURCE United Natural Foods, Inc.
CONTACT: Daniel Atwood, National Vice President of Marketing of United
Natural Foods, Inc., +1-860-779-2800, or General, Joseph Calabrese of FRB
Weber Shandwick, +1-212-445-8434, or Ellen P. Holton, Marketing Director of
QAI, +1-858-792-3531
URL: http://www.qai-inc.com