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Wild Oats Natural Marketplace Celebrates Fair Trade Month in October

Wild Oats Natural Marketplace Celebrates Fair Trade Month in October

Published 10-05-04

Submitted by Wild Oats Markets, Inc.

BOULDER, CO - Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: OATS), a leading natural and organic foods retailer, is joining retailers across the country to celebrate the first annual Fair Trade Month in October.

During the month, Wild Oats hopes to better define the meaning and value of Fair Trade to their customers and the public by co-sponsoring this national celebration. TransFair USA, the only independent certifier of Fair Trade products, initiated the October celebration to highlight foods that are grown by farmers who are paid living wages and work under conditions that meet key environmental and labor standards.

The Fair Trade certification movement is making a difference in the lives of banana, coffee, tea and cocoa farmers all over the world. Many farmers do not earn enough money to feed their families and are exposed to harsh working conditions on the farms. The Wild Oats Natural Marketplace and TransFair USA partnership is aimed at easing those conditions. With each bite of a Fair Trade Certified(TM) banana or drink of coffee, consumers support and empower farmers and their families.

During the month of October, Wild Oats will bring awareness to the issue through educational in-store materials that direct customers to Fair Trade Certified(TM) products, food tastings, store lectures and other in-store activities. Also, with every purchase of Fair Trade coffee, Wild Oats and Green Mountain will make a donation to Grounds for Health, an international nonprofit organization that provides cancer screening in Mexico and Central America. Grounds for Health focuses on the early detection of certain cancers, which are a leading cause of death among women in Oaxaca and Veracruz, Mexico where some of the Company's coffee varieties are grown.

"At Wild Oats, we believe it is our responsibility to ensure the people who grow and manufacture our products are treated fairly and equitably," said Perry Odak, President and CEO of Wild Oats Markets. "Wild Oats Markets realizes that as a leader in the natural and organic foods industry, we have a responsibility to go beyond providing quality food to customers. Through our partnership with TransFair USA, we have extended our commitment to providing customers with Fair Trade Certified(TM) products and expect to continue to grow this commitment as more products that meet our demanding standards become available."

Fair Trade Certified(TM) products provide a point of differentiation for companies offering them. They also help companies build customer loyalty and tap into new consumer segments. Wild Oats continues to increase its industry-leading Fair Trade commitment. The Boulder, CO-based food retailer sells Fair Trade bananas, coffee, tea and chocolate, and expects to add other Fair Trade produce items in the future.

"TransFair USA applauds Wild Oats' commitment to Fair Trade products and its earnest endeavors to grow a successful business while protecting the farmers who grow the food," said Paul Rice, President and CEO of TransFair USA. "Too often, we forget about the small farming community in another country, but Wild Oats believes strongly in remembering each one. We are proud to work with such a socially responsible business."

How Fair Trade Certification Benefits Farmers
Fair Trade certification is a comprehensive international certification system that encompasses inspecting farms, monitoring social and environmental practices, and auditing the trade of certified products. The system benefits small-scale farmers and plantation workers. Fair Trade certification ensures that wages meet or exceed the legal minimum wage, and that child labor laws are adhered to. These minimum prices vary by country and organic status, and are designed to cover the costs of sustainable production and provide a decent standard of living for farming families. In Fair Trade, small-scale Fair Trade producers are organized into democratically run cooperatives and receive a fair price for their crop, no matter how low the market price falls.

Benefits for Worker Health and the Environment
Fair Trade certification requires that producers use sustainable agricultural practices, which protect workers and the health of the environment. It also ensures that farmers adhere to all national and international legislation regarding the use and handling of chemicals, and that the most dangerous chemicals are not used at all.

About Wild Oats Markets
Wild Oats Markets, Inc. is a nationwide chain of natural and organic foods markets in the U.S. and Canada. With nearly $1 billion in annual sales, the Company operates 107 natural foods stores in 24 states and British Columbia, Canada. The Company's markets include: Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, Henry's Farmers Market, Sun Harvest and Capers Community Markets. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.wildoats.com.

About TransFair USA
TransFair USA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is the sole Fair Trade certification organization in the U.S. Since its founding in 1998, TransFair has certified over 38 million lbs. of Fair Trade coffee, returning more than $31 million in additional income to small-scale coffee farmers. TransFair also certifies Fair Trade tea, cocoa, chocolate and bananas. To learn more, visit www.transfairusa.org

Wild Oats Markets, Inc. logo

Wild Oats Markets, Inc.

Wild Oats Markets, Inc.

History: Wild Oats Markets, Inc. started in Boulder, Colorado in 1987 with the purchase of a single natural foods store. The concept grew store by store into the nation's second largest natural and organic foods supermarket chain, with a family of 109 stores in 24 states and British Columbia, and annual sales of more than $1.1 billion. Philosophy: Wild Oats stands on a commitment to provide customers with the best selection of natural foods and health care products in a friendly, informative setting. Wild Oats strives to be a proactive member of its community, contributing to the lives of our customers, the communities we do business in and our staff. Wild Oats supports the local economy as much as possible by offering locally produced and manufactured products, including organic and locally grown produce. Wild Oats also supports the community by actively giving back through organized events and philanthropic giving. The company founded 5% Days, a program that earmarks 5% of the day's pretax sales to a selected non-profit organization.

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