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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Qlg38/UyTZFLxBNrvIk5D8OnNDuK9s42i4S+z3TVFAVRQ/iDv06QR1sqAfNd7HJV
 iLjrCFc8iqPS08mwWnleew==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001171520-08-000056.txt : 20080208
<SEC-HEADER>0001171520-08-000056.hdr.sgml : 20080208
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080208142805
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001171520-08-000056
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080128
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080208
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080208

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STERN JOHN ANDREW
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001426230

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15723
		FILM NUMBER:		08588394

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		914-960-6738

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
		STREET 2:		260 LAKE ROAD
		CITY:			DAYVILLE
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06241

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			UNITED NATURAL FOODS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001020859
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-GROCERIES & GENERAL LINE [5141]
		IRS NUMBER:				050376157
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0802

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 999
		STREET 2:		260 LAKE RD
		CITY:			DAYVILLE
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06241
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8607792800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 999
		STREET 2:		260 LAKE RD
		CITY:			DAYVILLE
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06241
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>eps2855_ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>JOHN ANDREW STERN
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-01-28</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001020859</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNITED NATURAL FOODS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UNFI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001426230</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STERN JOHN ANDREW</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>260 LAKE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DAYVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06241</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Information Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.97</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-01-07</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4800</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The employee stock option vests in four equal annual installments commencing on January 7, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments beginning on January 7, 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lisa N'Chonon (Power of Attorney, in fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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