Whole Foods, United Natural Foods Come to Three-year Distribution Agreement
AUSTIN, Texas and DAYVILLE, Conn. - Whole Foods Market, Inc. and United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) today said they have reached a definitive three-year distribution agreement, effective Jan. 1, 2005, under which UNFI will continue to serve as main U.S. distributor to Whole Foods in the regions the companies currently serve.
The new agreement between Whole Foods Market Distribution, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Whole Foods Market, and UNFI is in keeping with the terms and conditions of their existing agreement, which will expire on Dec. 31.
"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 Whole Foods v.p. of purchasing and distribution Betsy Foster in a statement.
"Whole Foods Market has been a long-standing, valued customer since 1996, and United Natural Foods looks forward to building upon our strategic partnership," said UNFI chairman and c.e.o. Steven Townsend. "Throughout our organization customer satisfaction is the No. 1 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."
Whole Foods is the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer. Whole Foods Market, Harry's Farmers Market, and Fresh & Wild are trademarks owned by Whole Foods. The company 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.
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.
The new agreement between Whole Foods Market Distribution, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Whole Foods Market, and UNFI is in keeping with the terms and conditions of their existing agreement, which will expire on Dec. 31.
"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 Whole Foods v.p. of purchasing and distribution Betsy Foster in a statement.
"Whole Foods Market has been a long-standing, valued customer since 1996, and United Natural Foods looks forward to building upon our strategic partnership," said UNFI chairman and c.e.o. Steven Townsend. "Throughout our organization customer satisfaction is the No. 1 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."
Whole Foods is the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer. Whole Foods Market, Harry's Farmers Market, and Fresh & Wild are trademarks owned by Whole Foods. The company 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.
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.