United Natural Foods Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI), a leading national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products, has extended its commitment to utilizing renewable energy by purchasing 6,200 MWh (megawatt hours) of electricity and renewable energy from EcoElectrons Renewable Energy for its new Lancaster, TX distribution facility. The renewable energy purchase is expected to reduce carbon emissions at its Lancaster facility by approximately 4,500 metric tons, the equivalent of nearly 10,400 barrels of oil, and complements UNFI's effort to obtain LEED(R) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the 590,000 square foot facility. EcoElectrons Renewable Energy specializes in supplying green power to organizations through renewable energy credits.

The renewable energy purchased by UNFI is certified by Green-e Energy, a leading renewable energy certification program in the U.S. Green-e provides independent, third-party certification to ensure renewable energy meets strict environmental and consumer protection standards.

Lisa M. Madsen, UNFI's Director, Sustainability & Philanthropy, commented, "Throughout our organization we remain deeply committed to implementing environmentally sustainable practices. By successfully collaborating with EcoElectrons at ourLancaster facility, we're able to reinforce our long-term focus to reduce our ecological footprint by utilizing green power and technologies."

UNFI produces over 2 million kilowatt hours of clean energy annually through solar electric systems installed at its Rocklin, CAand Dayville, CT facilities. It also utilizes 100% Green Power in its Ridgefield, WA distribution facility and is also member of the EPA's Green Power Partnership. This voluntary program encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use.

"UNFI's purchase of renewable energy credits is a terrific complement to the organization's existing Green initiatives including on-site solar power generation," said Rahul Chitrapu, Chief Executive of EcoElectrons. "We are very excited about UNFI's renewable energy purchase and the standard it sets amongst companies thinking about a sustainability strategy."

UNFI joins a growing list of companies and organizations that are taking tangible action to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions from their electricity use. Electricity generated from renewable sources results in less environmental pollution, and displaces conventional fossil fuel sources like coal and natural gas from the electric grid. Currently, renewable energy accounts for only three percent of total electricity generation across U.S. UNFI's deployment of electricity generated from nearly emissions-free renewable sources avoids greenhouse gas emissions and serves to build the market for renewable energy, while increasing incentives for building new facilities.

UNFI's Lancaster, TX distribution center is currently scheduled to commence operations during September, 2010 and is strategically located 15 miles south of downtown Dallas at the intersection of Interstates 20 and 35. It will support UNFI customers and retailers throughout the Southwest including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana.

About United Natural Foods Inc.

United Natural Foods, Inc. (www.unfi.com) carries and distributes more than 60,000 products to more than 23,000 customer locations in the United States and Canada. 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 - 2010 as one of its "Most Admired Companies," winner of the Supermarket News 2008 Sustainability Excellence Award, and recognized by the Nutrition Business Journal for its 2009 Environment and Sustainability Award.

About EcoElectrons Renewable Energy

EcoElectrons helps organizations reduce their environmental footprint by supplying renewable electricity through Green-e certified Renewable Energy Credits. To learn more, visit www.ecoelectrons.com.

About Green-e Energy

Green-e, a non-profit, provides forward-thinking organizations with a simple, nationally recognized tool they can use to communicate their commitment to renewable energy to their customers and stakeholders. Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy in the retail market. To learn more, visit. www.green-e.org/

via PR Newswire