Press Release Details

The leased Sarasota facility is scheduled to commence operations in early Fall of 2007 and will serve as a distribution hub for customers in Florida, and the Caribbean. The distribution facility will be the Company's largest facility on the East Coast and the second-largest in its nationwide distribution network. United Natural Foods has the largest warehouse capacity of any distributor in the natural products industry and, with the opening of the Sarasota facility, will have more than 3.7 million square feet of space at 16 distribution centers nationwide.

As part of the Company's commitment to enhance efficiencies, lower costs and improve productivity through "best in class" warehousing and inventory control systems, the distribution center will feature state-of-the-art technology including "Pick-to-Voice" order fulfillment systems. The facility will also feature the largest refrigeration footprint in the Company's distribution network covering approximately 115,000 square foot and the largest freezer capacity with more than 51,000 square feet at -20 degree Fahrenheit.

"We are confident the Company is making the right infrastructure investments to enhance our long-term, sustainable growth and this new distribution center further complements our growing presence in the Southeastern United States," commented Michael Funk, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Importantly, by transferring distribution routes from our Atlanta facility to the Sarasota facility we are extending our commitment to Environmentally Responsible Initiatives by reducing greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions."

United Natural Foods expects its Sarasota facility will create 150 new jobs in the first year, growing to 250 jobs within three years. "Sarasota is a wonderful community and we are excited to expand our operations in Florida," added Michael Beaudry, President of the Eastern Region. "We sincerely appreciate the support and assistance provided by the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners as well as The Florida Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development. We look forward to a great partnership with the residents of Sarasota County for many years to come."

The Company is accepting resumes for a variety of positions at the Sarasota facility located at 6100 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34238. For additional details please contact 800-520-6982.

About United Natural Foods

United Natural Foods, Inc. carries and distributes more than 40,000 products to more than 18,000 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. United Natural Foods, Inc. was ranked by Forbes in 2005 as one of the "Best Managed Companies in America," ranked by Fortune in 2006 and 2007 as one of its "Most Admired Companies," and ranked by Business Ethics as one of its "100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2006."

"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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on June 7, 2007, 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.

Mark Shamber, Chief Financial Officer of United Natural Foods, Inc., 1-860-779-2800;
or General Information, Joseph Calabrese of Financial Relations Board,
1-212-827-3772

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