AUSTIN, Texas and DAYVILLE, Conn., Dec. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whole
Foods Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: WFMI) and United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq:
UNFI) today announced a definitive three-year Distribution Agreement set to
commence on January 1, 2005 under which UNFI will continue to serve as the
primary U.S. distributor to WFMI in the regions where they currently serve.
The new three-year Distribution Agreement between Whole Foods Market
Distribution, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Whole Foods Market, and UNFI
is consistent with the terms and conditions of their existing agreement, which
is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2004.
"Whole Foods Market and UNFI have a long history of working together to
provide shoppers with the highest quality organic and natural foods, and we
look forward to continuing our long and successful relationship," said Betsy
Foster, Vice President of purchasing and distribution for Whole Foods Market.
"Whole Foods Market has been a long-standing, valued customer since 1996
and United Natural Foods looks forward to building upon our strategic
partnership," Steven Townsend, United Natural Foods' Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer said. "Throughout our organization customer satisfaction is
the number one priority and this renewed agreement allows us to continue to
provide Whole Foods Market with the widest selection of natural and organic
products of the highest quality."
About Whole Foods Market:
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market
(http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the world's leading natural and organic
foods supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer. In
fiscal year 2004, the company had sales of $3.9 billion and currently has more
than 165 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The
Whole Foods Market motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"(R)
captures the company's mission to find success in customer satisfaction and
wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value,
community support and environmental improvement. Whole Foods Market, Harry's
Farmers Market(R), and Fresh & Wild(R) are trademarks owned by Whole Foods
Market IP, LP. Whole Foods Market employs more than 32,000 team members and
has been ranked for seven consecutive years as one of the "100 Best Companies
to Work for in America" by Fortune magazine.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Whole Foods Market'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 annual report on Form 10-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2004, 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.
The Company is not undertaking to update any information in the foregoing
reports until the effective date of its future reports required by applicable
laws. Any projections of future results of operations should not be construed
in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These
projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final
reported results. The Company may from time to time update these publicly
announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so.
About United Natural Foods
United Natural Foods, Inc. carries and distributes over 43,000 products to
more than 21,000 customers nationwide. The Company serves a wide variety of
retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product
superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel. For
more information on United Natural Foods, Inc., visit the Company's website at
http://www.unfi.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding the Company's business
that 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 first quarter fiscal 2005
report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on December 10, 2004, 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.
The Company is not undertaking to update any information in the foregoing
reports until the effective date of its future reports required by applicable
laws. Any projections of future results of operations should not be construed
in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These
projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final
reported results. The Company may from time to time update these publicly
announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so.
SOURCE United Natural Foods, Inc. and Whole Foods Market, Inc.
-0- 12/28/2004
/CONTACT: Rick D. Puckett, Vice President, CFO and Treasurer of United
Natural Foods, +1-860-779-2800, or Joseph Calabrese, General Information,
Financial Relations Board, +1-212-827-3772, for United Natural Foods; or Media
Relations Contact: Ashley Hawkins, Whole Foods Market, +1-512-485-3600, or
Investor Relations Contact: Cindy McCann, Vice President of Investor
Relations, Whole Foods Market, +1-512-477-4455 /
/Web site: http://www.unfi.com
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com /
(UNFI WFMI)