Organic-foods popularity spawns healthy growth for United Natural
United Natural Foods, founded by a former trash collector working from his Volkswagen van, has ridden the organic-foods craze to become a $1 billion publicly traded powerhouse. With 17,000 retail customers, and $3.3 billion in sales this fiscal year, United Natural dominates the distribution chain in the organic-foods marketplace. As one of only two national distributors in this particular niche, the company wields unusual clout with manufacturers. CNNmoney.com/Fortune (02/12)
