Exhibit 23

                             ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
United Natural Foods, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Nos. 
333-19945, 333-19947, and 333-19949 on Form S-8) of United Natural Foods, Inc. 
of our reports dated September 1, 1998, relating to the consolidated balance 
sheets of United Natural Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of July 31, 1998 and 
1997 and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and
cash flows for the years ended July 31, 1998 and 1997 and for the nine months 
ended July 31, 1996, and the related schedule, which reports appear in the July 
31, 1998 annual report on Form 10-K of United Natural Foods, Inc.


Providence, Rhode Island                     /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
October 28, 1998                             KPMG Peat Marwick LLP