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Kombucha Update July 26, 2010; includes news about High Country and Vibranz

July 6, 2010: UNFI's customer websites and publications now identify products that are Non-GMO Project Verified.

June 22, 2010: On Wednesday, June 16, UNFI halted the sale of unpasteurized Kombucha products, and recommended retailers also halt sales of those items. This action was taken when UNFI was made aware that unpasteurized Kombucha products may not meet federal regulations governing the sale and labeling of products containing alcohol.

June 14, 2010: UNFI has completed its acquisition of the assets of the SunOpta Distribution Group becoming the largest distributor of natural and organic products in North America.

June 7, 2010  The United States Green Building Council has awarded our York, PA Distribution Center LEED® Gold Certification.

 Included in this edition is information about UNFI's headquarters in Providence RI, hydrogen fuel cell technology for powering lift trucks, SmartWay Transport Partnership and reduction of fuel consumption and emissions in the delivery fleet.

May 12, 2010: New Hope Natural Media announced several new initiatives to foster stronger buyer/seller relationships at Natural Products Expo East (www.expoeast.com) in 2010.  As part of the launch of these new initiatives, UNFI the natural and organic industry’s largest distributor, has been named the official distributor partner of Natural Products Expo East 2010.

May 11, 2010: UNFI today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Canadian food distribution assets of the SunOpta Distribution Group business ("SDG") of SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq: STKL, TSX: SOY), for total consideration of approximately CDN $68 million in cash. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by early June 2010. Upon closing, the SDG business will be operated through a wholly-owned subsidiary of UNFI, and will operate in Canada as UNFI Canada, Inc.  Click here to read the full article 

May 3, 2010: UNFI has been awarded a Senator John H. Chafee Conservation Award in part for building their new, energy-efficient corporate headquarters in Providence, RI.

April 27, 2010: World Energy Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: XWES; TSX:XWE) today announced that it helped UNFI (NASDAQ: UNFI) procure over 25 million kWh of electricity and renewable energy through World Energy Exchange®. 

April 12, 2010: UNFI (Nasdaq: UNFI) has been chosen as the 12th most trustworthy mid-cap company in America by Forbes Magazine. Forbes’ relies on data provided by Audit Integrity, an independent financial analysis company and, to create the list, compiles data on over 8,000 companies to assess the quality of accounting practices and management. 

March 30, 2010:  UNFI has established guidelines for organic suppliers in the event that material changes are made to a product’s organic status. 

March 12, 2010: Complementing its culture of social responsibility and its commitment to utilizing clean energy, UNFI today announced plans to adopt hydrogen fuel cell technology to power the lift truck fleet at its Sarasota, Florida distribution center. The fuel cells will replace lead acid batteries and their associated charging equipment. 

March 2, 2010: UNFI has recently been awarded the Nutrition Business Journal’s Environment and Sustainability Award for 2009.

February 9, 2010: UNFI is pleased to announce that The National Association of College & University Food Services recently awarded the Sisu store at Penn State University the prestigious “Best In Business—Big Idea” Award. 

February 3, 2010:  As part of our commitment to a cleaner environment, UNFI Eastern Region joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership.

Feburary 2, 2010: UNFI is pleased to announce funding of a grant for the Kids Backpack Program, conducted through Feeding America. 

January 26, 2010: UNFI today announced that its Chesterfield, New Hampshire distribution center has been awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) esteemed ENERGY STAR rating, marking it as one of the most efficient distribution facilities in the nation for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. ENERGY STAR is a leading national metric for evaluating building energy efficiency.

January 26, 2010: In keeping with one of our core values, “Social and environmental responsibility for the health of the planet,” the new UNFI corporate headquarters in Providence has been built inside and out with energy savings and low emissions in mind. 

January 22, 2010: Responding to inquiries from UNFI associates all over the country, UNFI has chosen two agencies where associates may contribute money, with matching funds from UNFI, to help the relief effort in Haiti. 

January 22, 2010: In April, 2009, Michael Funk and Tom Dziki travelled to the Dominican Republic to participate in a vitamin distribution for Vitamin Angels.  While there, a local relief worker shared a story about a nearby Haitian village, Anse a Pitre, where a well project had halted due to lack of funding. Michael and Tom were stunned by the depth of poverty in Anse a Pitre and, after learning about the necessary work remaining, agreed to have UNFI fund the rest of the project. 

Solar Panel Output from UNFI's Solar Installations on the roofs of UNFI's Rocklin, CA and Dayville, CT Distribution Centers and UNFI headquarters in Providence, RI.