Exhibit 32.2


                      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


      The undersigned, in his capacity as the Chief Financial Officer of United
Natural Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby certifies
that the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the period ended
October 31, 2003 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in
such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly presents in all material respects the
financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


                                                      /s/ Rick D. Puckett
                                                      ----------------------
                                                      Rick D. Puckett
                                                      Chief Financial Officer

                                                      December 12, 2003




Note:  A signed original of this written statement has been provided to the
       Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the
       Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.