Photo Release -- Unified Grocers Introduces Natural Directions -- a New Line of Natural...

Photo Release -- Unified Grocers Introduces Natural Directions -- a New Line of
Natural and Organic Food Products

Unified Grocers introduces Natural Directions(r), a new line of natural and
organic food products that will be sold in independent grocery stores throughout
the western United States. With an initial launch of 120 dry grocery,
refrigerated and frozen items, the Natural Directions product line will make
healthier, earth-friendly food choices more accessible and affordable to
consumers.

A photo accompanying this release is available at
http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5070

Over the past year, ND Foods, Inc. has collaborated with Unified's Corporate
Brands department, its Market Centre subsidiary, and with natural and organic
category experts including Organic Foods International, Inc. to develop the
Natural Directions brand. Their efforts have included extensive research and a
careful and thorough screening of producers and suppliers, as well as working
with Quality Assurance International (QAI). QAI is accredited by the USDA, and
is the leading independent organic certifying agency in the United States.

QAI certification ensures the integrity of the organic food chain from grower to
the table. Natural Directions supports the small organic farms and producers who
are the backbone of the organic movement. Each vendor selected to provide
Natural Directions product is required to meet or exceed rigorous quality
control standards. Natural Directions and its organic farmers and producers are
united in their commitment to reducing the use of pesticides and additives in
the food supply, and to being environmentally responsible. They also support the
humane treatment of farm animals in the production of food.

Ray Burtner, general manager of sales for Market Centre, a subsidiary of Unified
Grocers that focuses on the specialty, natural and organic trade, said, "The
sales of organic food products have doubled during the past 5 years. They have
continued to experience double digit growth on an annual basis and we expect
this trend to continue for the foreseeable future. Natural Directions joins
Unified Grocers' other quality corporate brands which offer retailers products
that are competitively priced and provide a point of differentiation from
national brands at shelf level. We believe the Natural Directions line provides
our retailers with the opportunity to say to their customers: 'I care about the
health and well being of you and your family.'"

"Over the next several months," Burtner continued, "we will continue to enhance
the Natural Directions line of products with new items from all food categories
in the store. Our retailers are excited about the Natural Directions brand and
are looking forward to offering these quality products to their customers."

Brian Kennedy, director of purchasing, PW Markets, San Jose, Calif., said, "We
participated in a test retail introduction of Natural Directions and are very
excited about the prospects for the entire line. Having this new, private label
program in natural and organic foods gives us the ability to compete with other
retailers in our area who offer private label organic and natural products."

With its distinctive and attractive packaging, Natural Directions offers
independent grocery retailers an opportunity to compete in an arena that was
once the exclusive domain of natural foods retailers. Visit
www.naturaldirections.com for more product information.

About Unified Grocers, Inc.

Founded in 1922, Unified Grocers, Inc. is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery
distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United
States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $4 billion
in sales during 2007, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to
compete in the supermarket industry.

The Unified Grocers, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1214

This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to benefits
expected to be derived from the proposed acquisition. There are a variety of
factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated by the statements above. These factors are outlined in Unified's
Form 10-Q and other interim reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Furthermore, Unified undertakes no obligation to update, amend or
clarify forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.

The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.

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CONTACT: Unified Grocers
Tom Schaffner
323-264-5200 (ext. 4150)
tschaffner@unifiedgrocrs.com
Bob Hutchins
206-763-7966
bhutchins@unifiedgrocers.com