United Natural Foods
UNFI
#4111
Rank
C$3.78 B
Marketcap
C$62.13
Share price
-2.85%
Change (1 day)
57.62%
Change (1 year)

United Natural Foods - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

|X| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2002

OR

|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 000-21531

UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware 05-0376157
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)

260 Lake Road
Dayville, CT 06241
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (860) 779-2800

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days:

Yes |X| No |_|

As of June 4, 2002 there were 19,105,817 shares of the Registrant's Common
Stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.

================================================================================
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2002 and 3
July 31, 2001

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarter 4
and nine months ended April 30, 2002 and 2001

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine 5
months ended April 30, 2002 and 2001

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 8
Condition and Results of Operations

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market 16
Risk

Part II. Other Information

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 16

Signatures 17
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts) APRIL 30, 2002 JULY 31, 2001
-------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash $ 6,498 $ 6,393
Accounts receivable, net 90,059 81,559
Notes receivable, trade 590 685
Inventories 139,769 110,653
Prepaid expenses 5,585 5,394
Deferred income taxes 4,434 3,513
Refundable income taxes -- 366
--------- ---------
Total current assets 246,935 208,563

Property & equipment, net 80,793 62,186

Other assets:
Notes receivable, trade, net 1,117 1,050
Goodwill 31,401 27,500
Covenants not to compete, net 284 180
Other, net 2,767 965
--------- ---------
Total assets $ 363,297 $ 300,444
========= =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Notes payable - line of credit $ 107,067 $ 68,056
Current installments of long-term debt 1,255 19,625
Current installment of obligations under
capital leases 637 1,120
Accounts payable 65,018 53,169
Accrued expenses 23,357 13,242
Income taxes payable 1,726 --
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities 199,060 155,212

Long-term debt, excluding current installments 6,670 7,805
Obligations under capital leases, excluding
current installments 1,755 1,484
--------- ---------
Total liabilities 207,485 164,501
--------- ---------

Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized
5,000 shares, none issued and outstanding
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized
50,000 shares, issued and outstanding 19,105 at
April 30, 2002; issued and outstanding 18,653 at
July 31, 2001 191 187
Additional paid-in capital 79,291 72,644
Unallocated shares of ESOP (2,135) (2,258)
Retained earnings 78,465 65,370
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity 155,812 135,943
--------- ---------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 363,297 $ 300,444
========= =========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


3
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
QUARTER ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
APRIL 30, APRIL 30,
--------- ---------

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(In thousands, except per share data) 2002 2001 2002 2001
---- ---- ---- ----

Net sales $ 300,362 $ 258,536 $866,139 $ 747,100
Cost of sales 242,048 208,853 696,312 601,576
--------- --------- -------- ---------
Gross profit 58,314 49,683 169,827 145,524
--------- --------- -------- ---------

Operating expenses 47,535 41,182 139,816 123,337
Restructuring and asset impairment charges -- 802 424 802
Amortization of intangibles 56 269 134 793
--------- --------- -------- ---------
Total operating expenses 47,591 42,253 140,374 124,932
--------- --------- -------- ---------

Operating income 10,723 7,430 29,453 20,592
--------- --------- -------- ---------

Other expense (income):
Interest expense 1,934 1,692 5,323 5,292
Change in value of financial
instruments (234) 394 2,195 394
Other, net 225 (126) 110 (351)
--------- --------- -------- ---------
Total other expense 1,925 1,960 7,628 5,335
--------- --------- -------- ---------

Income before income taxes 8,798 5,470 21,825 15,257

Income taxes 3,519 2,188 8,730 6,103
--------- --------- -------- ---------
Net income $ 5,279 $ 3,282 $ 13,095 $ 9,154
========= ========= ======== =========

Per share data (basic):

Net income $ 0.28 $ 0.18 $ 0.69 $ 0.50
========= ========= ======== =========

Weighted average shares of common stock 19,049 18,580 18,874 18,436
========= ========= ======== =========

Per share data (diluted):

Net income $ 0.27 $ 0.17 $ 0.68 $ 0.49
========= ========= ======== =========

Weighted average shares of common stock 19,493 18,839 19,304 18,752
========= ========= ======== =========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


4
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
APRIL 30,
(In thousands) 2002 2001
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 13,095 $ 9,154
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 5,899 5,830
Change in fair value of financial instruments 2,195 394
Loss on impairment of intangible asset -- 255
Loss on disposals of property and equipment 295 582
Deferred income tax benefit (921) (316)
Provision for doubtful accounts 1,379 2,198
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (9,197) (20,227)
Inventory (28,928) (8,265)
Prepaid expenses (172) 828
Refundable income taxes 366 3,308
Other assets (1,679) 237
Notes receivable, trade 29 (224)
Accounts payable 11,537 27,348
Accrued expenses 7,033 2,327
Income taxes payable 1,727 --
--------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 2,658 23,429
--------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of acquired businesses, net of cash acquired (19) (2,393)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 31 43
Capital expenditures (23,633) (14,166)
--------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (23,621) (16,516)
--------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings (repayments) under note payable 39,011 (954)
Repayments of long-term debt (20,739) (2,032)
Proceeds from long-term debt 1,234 39
Principal payments of capital lease obligations (840) (849)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 2,402 2,769
--------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 21,068 (1,027)
--------------------

NET INCREASE IN CASH 105 5,886
Cash at beginning of period 6,393 1,943
--------------------
Cash at end of period $ 6,498 $ 7,829
====================

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 5,240 $ 5,171
====================
Income taxes $ 8,980 $ 3,100
====================
</TABLE>

In the nine months ended April 30, 2002 and 2001, the Company incurred $628 and
$679, respectively, of capital lease obligations.

In connection with the acquisition of Boulder Fruit Express on November 6, 2001,
the Company issued 199,436 shares of common stock with a fair value of
approximately $4,250.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


5
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 2002 (UNAUDITED)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Our accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
United Natural Foods, Inc. (the "Company") and our wholly owned subsidiaries. We
are a distributor and retailer of natural foods and related products.

The financial statements have been prepared pursuant to rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial information,
including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally required in
complete financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or
omitted. In our opinion, these financial statements include all adjustments
necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim
periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods, however, may
not be indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.

2. INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS

In October 1998, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement that provides
for us to pay interest for a five-year period at a fixed rate of 5% on a
notional principal amount of $60 million while receiving interest for the same
period at the LIBOR rate on the same notional principal amount. This swap has
been entered into as a hedge against LIBOR interest rate movements on current
and anticipated variable rate indebtedness totaling $60 million at LIBOR plus
1.50%, thereby fixing our effective rate at 6.50%. The five-year term of the
swap agreement may be extended to seven years at the option of the counter
party, which prohibits accounting for the swap as an effective hedge under
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 ("SFAS" No. 133),
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." The Company
entered into an additional interest rate swap agreement effective August 1,
2001. The additional agreement provides for the Company to pay interest for a
four-year period at a fixed rate of 4.81% on a notional principal amount of $30
million while receiving interest for the same period at the LIBOR rate on the
same notional principal amount. The swap has been entered into as a hedge
against LIBOR interest rate movements on current and anticipated variable rate
indebtedness totaling $30 million at LIBOR plus 1.50%, thereby fixing our
effective rate on the notional amount at 6.31%. If LIBOR exceeds 6.0% in a given
period the agreement is suspended for that period. The four-year term of the
swap agreement may be extended to six years at the option of the counter party,
which prohibits accounting for the swap as an effective hedge under SFAS No.
133.

The Company recorded $0.2 million of income for the quarter ended April 30,
2002, and $2.2 million of expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2002 on
its interest rate swap agreements and related option agreements, to reflect the
change in fair value of the financial instruments.

3. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET-ADOPTION OF STATEMENT 142

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 142,
"Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 142 requires that companies no
longer amortize goodwill, but instead test goodwill for impairment at least
annually (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise). The Company
adopted SFAS No. 142 on August 1, 2001. The Company completed the required
transitional goodwill impairment tests for each of its identified reporting
units during the quarter ended January 31, 2002. Based on the results of these
tests, there was no indication of goodwill impairment. The Company has also
reassessed the useful lives and carrying values of other intangibles, and will
continue to amortize these assets over their remaining useful lives. The
following table details the pro forma disclosures in accordance with SFAS No.
142. As of July 31, 2001, the Company had goodwill of $30.9 million less
accumulated amortization of $3.4 million. The Company recorded additional
goodwill of $4.0 million during the quarter ended January 31, 2002 as a result
of its acquisition of Boulder Fruit Express.


6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
April 30, April 30,
--------- ---------

(In thousands, except per share data) 2002 2001 2002 2001
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating income (loss):
Distribution segment $ 11,467 $ 7,708 $ 31,438 $ 21,476
Other segment (704) (274) (1,970) (874)
Eliminations (40) (4) (15) (10)
-------- ------- -------- --------
Total reported operating income 10,723 7,430 29,453 20,592
-------- ------- -------- --------

Add back: Distribution goodwill
amortization -- 120 -- 351
Add back: Other goodwill amortization -- 106 -- 297

-------- ------- -------- --------
Add back: Total goodwill amortization -- 226 -- 648
-------- ------- -------- --------

Adjusted distribution operating income 11,467 7,828 31,438 21,827
Adjusted other operating income (704) (168) (1,970) (577)
Eliminations operating income (40) (4) (15) (10)
-------- ------- -------- --------
Adjusted total operating income $ 10,723 $ 7,656 $ 29,453 $ 21,240
======== ======= ======== ========

Net income:
Reported net income $ 5,279 $ 3,282 $ 13,095 $ 9,154
Add back: goodwill amortization, net of
tax -- 136 -- 389
-------- ------- -------- --------
Adjusted net income $ 5,279 $ 3,418 $ 13,095 $ 9,543
======== ======= ======== ========

Basic earnings per share:
Reported net income $ 0.28 $ 0.18 $ 0.69 $ 0.50
Goodwill amortization, net of tax -- 0.01 -- 0.02
-------- ------- -------- --------
Adjusted net income $ 0.28 $ 0.19 $ 0.69 $ 0.52
======== ======= ======== ========

Diluted earnings per share:
Reported net income $ 0.27 $ 0.17 $ 0.68 $ 0.49
Goodwill amortization, net of tax -- 0.01 -- 0.02
-------- ------- -------- --------
Adjusted net income $ 0.27 $ 0.18 $ 0.68 $ 0.51
======== ======= ======== ========
</TABLE>

4. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Following is a reconciliation of the basic and diluted number of shares used in
computing earnings per share:

Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
April 30, April 30,
--------- ---------

(In thousands) 2002 2001 2002 2001
---- ---- ---- ----

Basic weighted average shares outstanding 19,049 18,580 18,874 18,436

Net effect of dilutive stock options
based upon the treasury stock method 444 259 430 316
------ ------ ------ ------

Diluted weighted average shares
outstanding 19,493 18,839 19,304 18,572
====== ====== ====== ======

5. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company has several operating segments aggregated under the distribution
segment, which is the Company's only reportable segment. These operating
segments have similar products and services, customer types, distribution
methods and historical margins. The distribution segment is engaged in national
distribution of natural foods, produce and related products in the United
States. Other operating segments include the retail segment, which engages in
the sale of natural foods and related products to the general public through
retail storefronts on the east coast of the United States, and a segment engaged
in importing, roasting and packaging of nuts, seeds, dried fruit and snack
items. These other operating segments do not meet the quantitative thresholds
for reportable segments and are therefore included in an "Other" caption in the
segment information. The "Other" caption also includes corporate expenses that
are not allocated to operating segments.


7
Following is business segment information for the periods indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) Distribution Other Eliminations Consolidated
------------ ----- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nine Months Ended April 30, 2002
Net sales $834,020 $ 48,105 $ (15,986) $866,139
Operating income (loss) $ 31,438 $ (1,970) $ (15) $ 29,453
Depreciation and amortization $ 5,120 $ 779 $ -- $ 5,899
Capital expenditures $ 22,446 $ 1,187 $ -- $ 23,633
Total assets $471,811 $ 37,315 $(145,829) $363,297

Nine Months Ended April 30, 2001
Net sales $717,633 $ 43,916 $ (14,449) $747,100
Operating income (loss) $ 21,476 $ (874) $ (10) $ 20,592
Depreciation and amortization $ 4,874 $ 956 $ -- $ 5,830
Capital expenditures $ 13,233 $ 933 $ -- $ 14,166
Total assets $419,660 $ 32,320 $(141,848) $310,132
</TABLE>

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

Overview

We are a leading national distributor of natural foods and related products in
the United States. In recent years, our sales have increased as a result of our
focus on customer service, increases in commitments from existing customers, new
customers, increased product selection, the expansion of our existing
distribution centers, acquisitions and the continued growth of the natural
products industry in general. Through these efforts, we believe that we have
been able to broaden our geographic penetration, expand our customer base,
enhance and diversify our product selections and increase our market share. Our
distribution operations are divided into three principal units: United Natural
Foods in the Eastern Region, Mountain People's Warehouse, Inc. and Rainbow
Natural Foods in the Western Region, and Albert's Organics in various markets in
the United States. On November 7, 2001, our Albert's Organics division purchased
the assets of privately held Boulder Fruit Express located in Louisville,
Colorado. Boulder Fruit Express provides high quality organic produce and
perishables to a market area that includes Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas,
Nebraska, and Iowa. Boulder Fruit Express's excellent record of customer service
complements our rapidly growing Denver produce division.

On January 15, 2002, we began distribution from our new 300,000 square foot
Atlanta, Georgia facility, an increased capacity of approximately 50,000 square
feet from our previous Atlanta, Georgia facilities. We are currently utilizing
approximately 250,000 square feet and leasing the remaining 50,000 square feet.
On March 10, 2002, we began distribution to our southern California, southern
Nevada and Arizona customers from our new 200,000 square foot Fontana,
California facility. The closer proximity of this new facility to these
customers enables us to provide improved service, while reducing transportation
expenses. With the addition of our Fontana, California facility, we have added
over one million square feet to our distribution centers in the last five years.

Through our subsidiary, the Natural Retail Group, we also own and operate 12
retail natural products stores located in the eastern United States. We believe
our retail business serves as a natural complement to our distribution business
as it enables us to develop new marketing programs and improve customer service.
Hershey Import Co., our division located in Edison, New Jersey, is a business
specializing in the importing, roasting and packaging of nuts, seeds, dried
fruits and snack items.

We are continually integrating certain operating functions in order to improve
operating efficiencies, including: (i) expanding marketing and customer service
programs across regions; (ii) expanding national purchasing opportunities; (iii)
consolidating systems applications among physical locations and regions; (iv)
integrating administrative and accounting functions; and (v) reducing geographic
overlap between regions. In addition, our continued growth has created the need
for expansion of existing facilities and the acquisition of additional
facilities to achieve maximum operating efficiencies and to assure adequate
space for future needs. We have made considerable capital expenditures and
incurred considerable expenses in connection with the expansion of our
distribution facilities, including the expansion of our Auburn, California, New
Oxford, Pennsylvania, Atlanta, Georgia and Albert's Los Angeles locations as
well as the recent establishment of our Fontana, California facility. We plan to
begin construction on the expansion of our Chesterfield, New Hampshire facility
in August 2002, which will enable us to increase service to our growing market
in the Northeast. Additionally, we continue to focus on expanding our presence
in the Midwest and Texas markets as part of our strategic plan to operate
facilities in those areas to further increase our market share. We hope to
accomplish this by the end of our fiscal year 2003. We are currently in the
process of relocating our Hershey Import Co. division to Edison, NJ in order to
expand our shipping and receiving capacity and to consolidate inventories
currently being stored in outside warehouses. While our operating margins may be
affected in periods of expansion, over the long term, we expect to benefit from
the increased absorption of our expenses over a larger sales base. As our sales
continue to grow, we expect to continue expanding our existing distribution
facilities, moving to larger facilities or opening new facilities as needed.

Our net sales consist primarily of sales of natural products to retailers
adjusted for customer volume discounts, returns and allowances. The principal
components of our cost of sales include the amount paid to manufacturers and
growers for products sold, plus the cost of transportation necessary to bring
the products to our distribution facilities. Operating expenses include salaries
and wages, employee benefits (including debt repayments under our Employee Stock
Ownership Plan), warehousing and delivery, selling, occupancy, insurance,
administrative, depreciation and amortization expense. Other expenses (income)
include interest on outstanding indebtedness, interest income, the change in
fair value of financial instruments and miscellaneous income and expenses.


8
Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make
estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities,
revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has defined critical
accounting policies as those that are both most important to the portrayal of
our financial condition and results and which require our most difficult,
complex or subjective judgments or estimates. Based on this definition, we
believe our critical accounting policies include the policies of accounts
receivable valuation and the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets. For
all financial statement periods presented, there have been no material
modifications to the application of these critical accounting policies.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

We analyze customer creditworthiness, accounts receivable balances, payment
history, payment terms and historical bad debt levels when evaluating the
adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts. Our accounts receivable balance
was $90.1 million, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6.5 million, as of
April 30, 2002.

Valuation of goodwill and intangible assets

Intangible assets consist principally of goodwill and covenants not to compete.
Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over fair value of net assets
acquired in connection with purchase business combinations. Covenants not to
compete are initially recorded at fair value and are amortized using the
straight-line method over the lives of the respective agreements, generally five
years. In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 ("SFAS" No. 142), "Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets". SFAS No. 142 requires that companies no longer amortize
goodwill, but instead test goodwill for impairment at least annually (or more
frequently if impairment indicators arise). We adopted SFAS No. 142 on August 1,
2001. We completed our transition goodwill impairment test during the quarter
ended January 31, 2002 and there were no indicators of goodwill impairment for
any of our reporting divisions. We tested each of our reporting units for an
indicator of goodwill impairment by comparing the net present value of projected
cash flows to the carrying value of the reporting division as of July 31, 2001.
We used discount rates determined by our management to be commensurate with the
level of risk in our current business model and projected cash flows for 5 to 8
years. There can be no assurance that at our annual review a material impairment
charge will not be recorded. We ceased to amortize goodwill when we adopted SFAS
No. 142. Net intangible assets and goodwill amounted to $31.7 million as of
April 30, 2002. We had recorded approximately $0.6 million of goodwill
amortization for the nine months ended April 30, 2001.

Results of Operations

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, certain income and
expense items expressed as a percentage of net sales:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
April 30, April 30,
----------------- ----------------
2002 2001 2002 2001
----------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales 80.6% 80.8% 80.4% 80.5%
------ ------ ------ ------
Gross profit 19.4% 19.2% 19.6% 19.5%
------ ------ ------ ------

Operating expenses 15.8% 15.9% 16.1% 16.5%
Restructuring and asset impairment charges 0.0% 0.3% 0.0% 0.1%
Amortization of intangibles 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1%
------ ------ ------ ------
Total operating expenses 15.8% 16.3% 16.2% 16.7%
------ ------ ------ ------

Operating income 3.6% 2.9% 3.4% 2.8%
------ ------ ------ ------

Other expense (income):
Interest expense 0.6% 0.7% 0.6% 0.7%
Change in fair value of financial instruments (0.1)% 0.0% 0.3% 0.0%
Other, net 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0%
------ ------ ------ ------
Total other expense 0.6% 0.8% 0.9% 0.7%
------ ------ ------ ------
Income before income taxes 2.9% 2.1% 2.5% 2.0%

Income taxes 1.2% 0.8% 1.0% 0.8%
------ ------ ------ ------
Net income 1.8% 1.3% 1.5% 1.2%
====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>


9
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, certain income and
expense items, excluding special items, expressed as a percentage of net sales:

Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
April 30, April 30,
---------------- ----------------
2002 2001 2002 2001
---------------- ----------------
Total operating expenses 15.6% 16.0% 16.0% 16.6%
------ ------ ------ ------

Operating income 3.8% 3.2% 3.6% 2.9%
------ ------ ------ ------
Net income 1.9% 1.6% 1.8% 1.4%
====== ====== ====== ======

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of
income and per share items including special items to income excluding special
items:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share data) April 30, 2002 April 30, 2002
-------------- --------------
Pre-tax Net Per Pre-tax Net Per
of diluted of diluted
tax share tax share

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income $ 8,798 $ 5,279 $0.27 $21,825 $13,095 $0.68

Interest rate swap agreement income (234) (140) (0.01) 2,195 1,317 0.07

Restructuring and asset impairment -- -- -- 424 254 0.01

Relocation and startup costs (included in
operating expenses) 720 431 0.02 1,687 1,013 0.05

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income excluding special items $ 9,284 $ 5,570 $0.29 $26,131 $15,679 $0.81
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share data) April 30, 2001 April 30, 2001
-------------- --------------
Pre-tax Net Per Pre-tax Net Per
of diluted of diluted
tax share tax share

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income including special items $5,470 $3,282 $0.17 $15,257 $ 9,154 $0.49

Interest rate swap agreement expense 394 236 0.01 394 236 0.01

Restructuring and asset impairment 802 481 0.03 802 481 0.03

Expansion expenses (included in operating expenses) 158 95 0.00 390 234 0.01

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income excluding special items $6,824 $4,094 $0.22 $16,843 $10,105 $0.54
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

Quarter Ended April 30, 2002 Compared To Quarter Ended April 30, 2001

Net Sales.

Our net sales increased approximately 16.2%, or $41.9 million, to $300.4 million
for the quarter ended April 30, 2002 from $258.5 million for the quarter ended
April 30, 2001. This increase was due primarily to increased sales to existing
customers throughout all divisions and included growth percentages in the
mid-twenties in both the super natural and mass market distribution channels. We
also experienced market share gains by selling to a greater number of new
customers. Also included in net sales was an additional full quarter of sales
for Boulder Fruit Express, an organic produce and perishables distributor we
acquired in November 2001, and a Florida retail store we opened in October 2001.
Sales growth excluding the acquisition and the new store sales would have been
14.8%. Sales to our two largest customers, Whole Foods Market, Inc. and Wild
Oats Markets, Inc., represented approximately 19.5% and 13.5%, respectively, of
net sales for the quarter ended April 30, 2002. Whole Foods Market, Inc.
represented approximately 16.6% and Wild Oats Markets, Inc. represented
approximately 14.8% of net sales for the quarter ended April 30, 2001. Whole
Foods Market, Inc., has extended its current distribution arrangement through
August 31, 2004 and our contract with Wild Oats is effective through August
2002. We believe our sales growth for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002 will
continue in the 12% to 14% range.


10
Gross Profit.

Our gross profit increased approximately 17.4%, or $8.6 million, to $58.3
million for the quarter ended April 30, 2002 from $49.7 million for the quarter
ended April 30, 2001. Our gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 19.4%
for the quarter ended April 30, 2002 compared to 19.2% for the quarter ended
April 30, 2001. We expect our gross margin as a percentage of sales to be in the
range of 19.2% to 19.5% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002.

Operating Expenses.

Our total operating expenses, excluding special charges, increased approximately
13.5%, or $5.6 million, to $46.9 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2002
from $41.3 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2001. As a percentage of net
sales, operating expenses, excluding special charges, decreased to 15.6% for the
quarter ended April 30, 2002 from 16.0% for the quarter ended April 30, 2001.
Special charges are discussed in the following paragraph. The lower operating
expenses as a percentage of net sales were due primarily to increased
efficiencies in our transportation departments as a result of substantially
lower fuel costs, more efficient routing and successfully leveraging our fixed
expenses against a higher sales base. We also experienced improved labor
productivity due primarily to a more favorable labor market nationwide and a
higher retention rate of experienced warehouse and transportation employees. We
experienced significant increases in workers' compensation and commercial
automobile insurance premiums. This area is somewhat volatile, and whether there
is improvement or deterioration in future quarters is largely dependent on our
ability to control our automobile and workers' compensation losses, which are
retained risks. We have reduced our operating expenses, excluding special
charges, to less than 16% of sales as we continue to realize operating
efficiencies and expand our sales base. We expect to incur additional special
charges as we increase our warehouse capacity.

Operating expenses for the quarter ended April 30, 2002 included special charges
of $0.7 million related primarily to the startup of our Fontana, California
distribution facility. Operating expenses for the quarter ended April 30, 2001
included special charges of $0.2 million related to the expansion of our New
Oxford, Pennsylvania distribution facility, and $0.8 million of asset impairment
charges due to the removal of a mechanized pick system and goodwill associated
with the closing of an unprofitable retail store. Operating expenses, including
special charges, increased approximately 12.6%, or $5.3 million, to $47.6
million from $42.3 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2001. As a percentage
of sales, operating expenses, including special charges, decreased to 15.8% for
the quarter ended April 30, 2002 from 16.3% for the quarter ended April 30,
2001.

Operating Income.

Operating income, excluding the special charges discussed above, increased $3.0
million to $11.4 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2002 from $8.4 million
for the quarter ended April 30, 2001. As a percentage of sales, operating
income, excluding special charges, increased to 3.8% for the quarter ended April
30, 2002 compared to 3.2% for the quarter ended April 30, 2001. Operating
income, including special charges, increased $3.3 million to $10.7 million or
3.6% of sales for the quarter ended April 30, 2002 from $7.4 million or 2.9% of
sales for the quarter ended April 30, 2001.

Other Expense (Income).

Other expense in the quarter ended April 30, 2002 compared to the quarter ended
April 30, 2001 was unchanged primarily due to higher interest expense offset by
income related to recognition of the change in fair value of financial
instruments. We recorded income of $0.2 million for the increase in fair value
on our interest rate swap agreements and related option agreements resulting
from favorable changes in yield curves used to determine the change in fair
value of the financial instruments during the quarter. We will continue to
recognize either income or expense quarterly for the duration of the swap
agreement until either October 2003 or 2005 for the swap agreement entered into
in October 1998, and either August 2005 or 2007 for the swap agreement entered
into in August 2001, depending on whether the agreements are extended by the
counter party. The recognition of income or expense in any given quarter, and
the magnitude of that item, is dependent on interest rates and the remaining
term of the contracts.

Income Taxes.

Our effective income tax rate was 40.0% for the quarters ended April 30, 2002
and 2001. The effective rates were higher than the federal statutory rate
primarily due to state and local income taxes.

Net Income.

As a result of the foregoing, net income, excluding special items, increased
$1.5 million to $5.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the quarter ended
April 30, 2002, compared to $4.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the
quarter ended April 30, 2001. Net income, including special charges, increased
$2.0 million to $5.3 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the quarter ended
April 30, 2002 compared to $3.3 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the
quarter ended April 30, 2001. We expect earnings per diluted share, excluding
any special items, to be $0.28 - $0.30 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002,
and $1.09 - $1.11 for all of fiscal 2002.

Nine Months Ended April 30, 2002 compared to Nine Months Ended April 30, 2001

Net Sales.

Our net sales increased approximately 15.9%, or $119.0 million, to $866.1
million for the nine months ended April 30, 2002 from $747.1 million for the
nine months ended April 30, 2001. This increase was due primarily to increased
sales to existing customers throughout all divisions and distribution channels
including super naturals, independents and mass market. The overall increase in
net sales for the nine months ended April 30, 2001 was attributable to increased
sales to existing customers, the sale of new product offerings and sales to new
customers. Also included in net sales were two full quarters of sales for
Boulder Fruit Express, an organic produce and perishables distributor we
acquired in November 2001, and a Florida retail store we opened in October 2001.
Sales growth excluding acquisitions and new store sales would have been 14.9%.
Sales to our two largest customers, Whole Foods Market, Inc. and Wild Oats
Markets, Inc. represented approximately 18.8% and 14.1%, respectively, of net
sales for the nine months ended April 30, 2002 compared to approximately 16.7%
and 14.7%, respectively, for the same period last year. Whole Foods Market,
Inc., has extended its current distribution arrangement through August 31, 2004
and our contract with Wild Oats is effective through August 2002.


11
Gross Profit.

Our gross profit increased approximately 16.7%, or $24.3 million, to $169.8
million for the nine months ended April 30, 2002 from $145.5 million for the
nine months ended April 30, 2001. Our gross profit as a percentage of net sales
increased to 19.6% for the nine months ended April 30, 2002 from 19.5% for the
same period last year.

Operating Expenses.

Our total operating expenses, excluding special items, increased approximately
11.7%, or $14.6 million, to $138.3 million for the nine months ended April 30,
2002 from $123.7 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2001. As a
percentage of net sales, operating expenses, excluding special items, decreased
to 16.0% for the nine months ended April 30, 2002 from 16.6% for the nine months
ended April 30, 2001. Special charges are discussed in the following paragraph.
The lower operating expenses as a percentage of net sales were due primarily to
increased efficiencies in our transportation departments as a result of
substantially lower fuel costs, more efficient routing and successfully
leveraging our fixed expenses against a higher sales base, in spite of a
significant increase in workers' compensation and commercial automobile policy
insurance premiums. We also experienced improved labor productivity due
primarily to a more favorable labor market nationwide and a higher retention
rate of experienced warehouse and transportation employees.

Operating expenses for the nine months ended April 30, 2002 included special
charges of $1.4 million related to the relocation of our Atlanta, Georgia
facility of which approximately $0.4 million related to asset impairment and
restructuring costs and $1.0 million of other transition costs. In addition, we
incurred special charges of $0.7 million related to the startup of our Fontana,
California distribution facility that consisted primarily of moving and other
costs. Operating expenses for the nine months ended April 30, 2001 included
special charges of $0.4 million related to the expansion of our New Oxford,
Pennsylvania distribution facility, and $0.8 million of asset impairment charges
due to the removal of a mechanized pick system and goodwill associated with the
closing of an unprofitable retail store. As a percentage of sales operating
expenses, including special charges, decreased to 16.2% for the nine months
ended April 30, 2002 from 16.7% for the nine months ended April 30, 2001.

Operating Income.

Operating income, excluding special charges discussed above, increased $9.8
million to $31.6 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2002 from $21.8
million for the nine months ended April 30, 2001. As a percentage of sales,
operating income, excluding special charges, increased to 3.6% for the nine
months ended April 30, 2002 compared to 2.9% for the nine months ended April 30,
2001. Operating income, including special charges, increased $8.9 million to
$29.5 million, or 3.4% of sales, for the nine months ended April 30, 2002 from
$20.6 million, or 2.8% of sales, for the nine months ended April 30, 2001.

Other Expense (Income).

The $2.3 million increase in other expense for the nine months ended April 30,
2002 compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2001 was due primarily to a
non-cash item related to the recognition of the change in fair value of
financial instruments. We recorded expense of $2.2 million for the decrease in
fair value of our interest rate swap agreements and related option agreements,
which were the result of the change in fair value of the financial instruments.
We will continue to recognize either income or expense quarterly for the
duration of the swap agreement until either October 2003 or 2005 for the swap
agreement entered into in October 1998, and either August 2005 or 2007 for the
swap agreement entered into in August 2001, depending on whether the agreements
are extended by the counter party. The recognition of income or expense in any
given quarter, and the magnitude of that item, is dependent on interest rates
and the remaining term of the contracts.

Income Taxes.

Our effective income tax rate was 40.0% for the nine months ended April 30, 2002
and 2001. The effective rates were higher than the federal statutory rate
primarily due to state and local income taxes.

Net Income.

As a result of the foregoing, net income, excluding special items, increased
$5.6 million to $15.7 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, for the nine months
ended April 30, 2002, compared to $10.1 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for
the nine months ended April 30, 2001. Net income, including special items,
increased $3.9 million to $13.1 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, for the
nine months ended April 30, 2002, compared to $9.2 million, or $0.49 per diluted
share, for the nine months ended April 30, 2001.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We finance operations and growth primarily with cash flows from operations,
borrowings under our credit facility, seller financing of acquisitions,
operating and capital leases, trade payables, bank indebtedness and the sale of
equity and debt securities. In September 2001, we entered into an agreement to
increase our secured revolving credit facility to $150 million from $100 million
at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.50% maturing on June 30, 2005. This
additional access to capital will provide for working capital requirements in
the normal course of business and the opportunity to grow our business
organically or through acquisitions. As of April 31, 2002, our borrowing base,
based on accounts receivable and inventory levels, was $143.5 million, with
remaining availability of $29.7 million.

Net cash provided by operations was $2.7 million for the nine months ended April
30, 2002 and was the result of cash collected from customers net of cash paid to
vendors, offset by investments in inventory. The increases in inventory levels
relate to supporting increased sales with wider product assortment combined with
our ability to capture purchasing efficiency opportunities in excess of total
carrying costs, as well as the opening of our Fontana, California facility. Days
in inventory remained unchanged at 49 days for the period ended April 30, 2002
from the period ended April 30,2001. Net cash provided by operations was $23.4
million for the nine months ended April 30, 2001 and was due to cash collected
from customers net of cash paid to vendors exceeding our investments in accounts
receivable and inventory. Days sales outstanding at April 30, 2002 was 30 days
compared to 31 days at April 30, 2001.


12
Net cash used in investing activities was $23.6 million for the nine months
ended April 30, 2002 and was due primarily to capital expenditures for the
purchase of our new Atlanta, Georgia facility and equipment purchases for our
Fontana, California facility, compared to $16.5 million for the same period last
year that was due primarily to the purchase of our secondary facility in Auburn,
California, the expansion of our New Oxford, Pennsylvania distribution facility
and payments for the purchase of Source Organic, Inc. and Palm Harbor Natural
Foods.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $21.1 million for the nine months
ended April 30, 2002 due to increased borrowings on our line of credit and our
equipment financing lines, offset by repayment of long-term debt as a result of
the establishment of our $150 million secured revolving credit facility. Net
cash used in financing activities was $1.0 million for the nine months ended
April 30, 2001 due to proceeds from the exercise of stock options, mostly offset
by repayment of long-term debt.

In October 1998, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement. The agreement
provides for us to pay interest for a five-year period at a fixed rate of 5% on
a notional principal amount of $60 million while receiving interest for the same
period at the LIBOR rate on the same notional principal amount. The swap has
been entered into as a hedge against LIBOR interest rate movements on current
and anticipated variable rate indebtedness totaling $60 million at LIBOR plus
1.50%, thereby fixing the Company's effective rate at 6.50%. The five-year term
of the swap agreement may be extended to seven years at the option of the
counter party, which prohibits accounting for the swap as an effective hedge
under SFAS No.133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities." We entered into an additional interest rate swap agreement
effective August 1, 2001. The additional agreement provides for us to pay
interest for a four-year period at a fixed rate of 4.81% on a notional principal
amount of $30 million while receiving interest for the same period at the LIBOR
rate on the same notional principal amount. The swap has been entered into as a
hedge against LIBOR interest rate movements on current and anticipated variable
rate indebtedness totaling $30 million at LIBOR plus 1.50%, thereby fixing our
effective rate on the notional amount at 6.31%. If LIBOR exceeds 6.0% in a given
period the agreement is suspended for that period. The four-year term of the
swap agreement may be extended to six years at the option of the counter party,
which prohibits accounting for the swap as an effective hedge under SFAS No.
133.

IMPACT OF INFLATION

Historically, we have been able to pass along inflation-related increases to our
customers. Consequently, inflation has not had a material impact upon the
results of our operations or profitability. Increases in the cost of fuel could
have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and profitability if
we are unable to pass along a significant portion of these increases.

SEASONALITY

Generally, we do not experience any material seasonality. However, our sales and
operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to factors
such as changes in our operating expenses, management's ability to execute our
operating and growth strategies, personnel changes, demand for natural products,
supply shortages and general economic conditions.

RECENTLY ISSUED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 144,
"Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets", which
addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of
long-lived assets. This Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2001. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a
material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 143,
"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations", which addresses financial
accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of
tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. This
Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The
adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material impact on our
consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results

This Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q
contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and
uncertainties. In some cases you can identify these statements by
forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate,"
"expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," and "would," or similar words. You
should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss
future expectations contain projections of future results of operations or of
financial position or state other "forward-looking" information. The important
factors listed below as well as any cautionary language in this Form 10-Q,
provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual
results to differ materially from the expectations described in these
forward-looking statements. You should be aware that the occurrence of the
events described in the risk factors below and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q could
have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
position.

Any forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated
by reference in this Form 10-Q are not guarantees of futures performance, and
actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those
envisaged by such forward-looking statements, possibly materially. We disclaim
any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly
qualified by the statement in this section whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, until the effective date of our future
reports required by applicable securities laws.

Access to capital and the cost of that capital

As of April 30, 2002 our borrowing base, based on accounts receivable and
inventory levels, was $143.5 million, with remaining availability of $29.7
million under our credit facility of $150.0 million. Future low cash
availability levels could restrict our ability to expand our business. In order
to maintain our profit margins, we rely on strategic investment buying
initiatives, such as discounted bulk purchases, which require spending
significant amounts of working capital. In the event that capital market turmoil
significantly increases our cost of capital or limits our ability to borrow
funds or raise equity capital, we could suffer reduced profit margins and be
unable to grow our business organically or through acquisitions, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results
of operations.


13
We may have difficulty in managing our growth

The growth in the size of our business and operations has placed and is expected
to continue to place a significant strain on our management. Our future growth
is limited in part by the size and location of our distribution centers. There
can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully expand our existing
distribution facilities or open new distribution facilities in new or existing
markets to facilitate growth. In addition, our growth strategy to expand our
market presence includes possible additional acquisitions. To the extent our
future growth includes acquisitions, there can be no assurance that we will
successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates, consummate and integrate
such potential acquisitions or expand into new markets. Our ability to compete
effectively and to manage future growth, if any, will depend on our ability to
continue to implement and improve operational, financial and management
information systems on a timely basis and to expand, train, motivate and manage
our work force. There can be no assurance that our personnel, systems,
procedures and controls will be adequate to support our operations. Our
inability to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We have significant competition from a variety of sources

We operate in highly competitive markets, and our future success will be largely
dependent on our ability to provide quality products and services at competitive
prices. Our competition comes from a variety of sources, including other
distributors of natural products as well as specialty grocery and mass-market
grocery distributors. There can be no assurance that mass-market grocery
distributors will not increase their emphasis on natural products and more
directly compete with us or that new competitors will not enter the market.
These mass market grocery distributors may have been in business longer than us,
may have substantially greater financial and other resources than us and may be
better established in their markets. There can be no assurance that our current
or potential competitors will not provide services comparable or superior to
those provided by us or adapt more quickly than us to evolving industry trends
or changing market conditions. It is also possible that alliances among
competitors may develop or that certain of our customers will increase
distribution to their own retail facilities. Increased competition may result in
price reductions, reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any of which
could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results
of operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete
effectively against current and future competitors.

We depend heavily on our principal customers

Our ability to maintain close, mutually beneficial relationships with our top
two customers, Whole Foods Market, Inc. and Wild Oats Markets, Inc., is
important to the ongoing growth and profitability of our business. Whole Foods
Market, Inc., has extended its current distribution arrangement through August
31, 2004 and our contract with Wild Oats is effective through August 2002. Whole
Foods Market, Inc. and Wild Oats Markets, Inc. accounted for approximately 18.8%
and 14.1%, respectively, of our net sales during the nine months ended April 30,
2002. As a result of this concentration of our customer base, the loss or
cancellation of business from either of these customers, including from
increased distribution to their own facilities, could materially and adversely
affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. We sell
products under purchase orders, and we generally have no agreements with or
commitments from our customers for the purchase of products. No assurance can be
given that our customers will maintain or increase their sales volumes or orders
for the products supplied by us or that we will be able to maintain or add to
our existing customer base.

Our profit margins may decrease due to consolidation in the grocery industry

The grocery distribution industry generally is characterized by relatively high
volume with relatively low profit margins. The continuing consolidation of
retailers in the natural products industry and the growth of super natural
chains may reduce our profit margins in the future as more customers qualify for
greater volume discounts.

Our industry is sensitive to economic downturns

The grocery industry is sensitive to national and regional economic conditions,
and the demand for our products may be adversely affected from time to time by
economic downturns. In addition, our operating results are particularly
sensitive to, and may be materially adversely affected by:

o difficulties with the collectibility of accounts receivable,

o difficulties with inventory control,

o competitive pricing pressures, and

o unexpected increases in fuel or other transportation-related costs.

There can be no assurance that one or more of such factors will not materially
adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We are dependent on a number of key executives

Management of our business is substantially dependent upon the services of
Michael S. Funk, Chief Executive Officer, Steven Townsend, President, Todd
Weintraub, Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Michel, President of the Western
Region, and other key management employees. Loss of the services of any
additional officers or any other key management employee could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.


14
Our operating results are subject to significant fluctuations

Our net sales and operating results may vary significantly from period to period
as a result of:

o changes in our operating expenses,

o management's ability to execute our business and growth strategies,

o personnel changes,

o demand for natural products,

o Supply shortages,

o general economic conditions,

o changes in customer preferences and demands for natural products,
including levels of enthusiasm for health, fitness and environmental
issues,

o fluctuation of natural product prices due to competitive pressures,

o lack of an adequate supply of high-quality agricultural products due
to poor growing conditions, natural disasters or otherwise,

o volatility in prices of high-quality agricultural products resulting
from poor growing conditions, natural disasters or otherwise, and

o future acquisitions, particularly in periods immediately following
the consummation of such acquisition transactions while the
operations of the acquired businesses are being integrated into our
operations.

Due to the foregoing factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of
our operating results may not necessarily be meaningful and that such
comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of future performance.

We are subject to significant governmental regulation

Our business is highly regulated at the federal, state and local levels and our
products and distribution operations require various licenses, permits and
approvals. In particular:

o our products are subject to inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration,

o our warehouse and distribution facilities are subject to inspection
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state health authorities,
and

o our trucking operations are regulated by the U.S. Department of
Transportation and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration.

The loss or revocation of any existing licenses, permits or approvals or the
failure to obtain any additional licenses, permits or approvals in new
jurisdictions where we intend to do business could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our officers and directors and the employee stock ownership trust have
significant voting power

As of April 30, 2002, our executive officers and directors, and their
affiliates, and the United Natural Foods Employee Stock Ownership Trust
beneficially owned in the aggregate approximately 15% of our common stock.
Accordingly, these stockholders, if acting together, may have the ability to
impact the election of our directors and determine the outcome of corporate
actions requiring stockholder approval, depending on how other stockholders may
vote. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring
or preventing a change in control of United Natural Foods, Inc.

Union-organizing activities could cause labor relations difficulties

As of April 30, 2002, approximately 240 employees, representing approximately 8%
of our approximately 2,900 employees, were union members. We have in the past
been the focus of union-organizing efforts. As we increase our employee base and
broaden our distribution operations to new geographic markets, our increased
visibility could result in increased or expanded union-organizing efforts.
Although we have not experienced a work stoppage to date, if additional
employees were to unionize, we could be subject to work stoppages and increases
in labor costs, either of which could materially adversely affect our business,
financial condition or results of operations.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

We do not believe that there is any material market risk exposure with respect
to derivative or other financial instruments that would require disclosure under
this item.


15
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

Exhibits

Exhibit No. Description Page
- ----------- ----------- ----

99 First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement
with Fleet Capital Corp. 18-21

Reports on Form 8-K

NONE


16
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.


/s/ Todd Weintraub
-----------------------------
Todd Weintraub
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Dated: June 14, 2002