OATS Wild Oats Markets (MM)

National Celebration Raises Awareness of Fair Trade Practices and Emphasizes Fair Trade Certified(TM) Products BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:OATS), a leading natural and organic foods retailer, is celebrating the third annual Fair Trade Month in October. During the month, Wild Oats will strive to better define the meaning and value of Fair Trade to its customers and the public. TransFair USA, the only independent certifier of Fair Trade products, initiated the October celebration in 2004 to highlight foods 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. Wild Oats and TransFair USA have a strong partnership 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 Fair Trade movement through educational in-store materials that direct customers to Fair Trade Certified(TM) products, Fair Trade food and beverage tastings, great deals on Fair Trade products, and other in-store activities. Wild Oats continues to increase its industry-leading Fair Trade commitment. The Boulder, Colo.-based food retailer sells more than 230 Fair Trade Certified(TM) items in its stores including: Fair Trade bananas, coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, vanilla, quinoa, rice, pineapples and mangoes. "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. "By helping to educate consumers about the Fair Trade movement, and by making a commitment to selling only organic Fair Trade coffee in our bulk and foodservice departments, we are not only bolstering the socioeconomic stature of these farmers, but we are helping to preserve the environment by supporting sustainable organic agricultural practices." Fair Trade Certified(TM) products provide a point of differentiation for companies offering them to consumers by building customer loyalty and tapping into new consumer segments. This year, customers can enter the Discover Fair Trade Sweepstakes for a chance to win a guided tour of Costa Rica and Fair Trade Certified(TM) farms. This is a chance to see first-hand how responsible purchasing decisions transform the lives of farmers, enabling them to invest in their future. Official rules and entry for the Discover Fair Trade Sweepstakes can be found at http://www.wildoats.com/fairtrade. 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 annual sales of more than $1.1 billion. The Company operates 113 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 http://www.wildoats.com/. About TransFair USA TransFair USA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is one of 20 members of Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO), and the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. They audit transactions between U.S. companies offering Fair Trade Certified(TM) products and the international suppliers from whom they source, in order to guarantee that the farmers and farm workers behind Fair Trade Certified(TM) goods were paid a fair, above-market price. In addition, annual inspections conducted by FLO ensure that strict socioeconomic development criteria are being met using increased Fair Trade revenues. To learn more, visit http://www.transfairusa.org/. DATASOURCE: Wild Oats Markets, Inc. CONTACT: Sonja Tuitele of Wild Oats Markets, Inc., +1-720-562-4984 Web site: http://www.wildoats.com/fairtrade Web site: http://www.transfairusa.org/ Web site: http://www.wildoats.com/

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