For Immediate Release

Whole Foods Market Awards PBD New Private Label Branding Project

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — January 4, 2002 — PhilippeBecker Design (PBD), a San Francisco based packaging and branding agency, today announced that Whole Foods Market¨ (NASDAQ: WFMI), the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods with 143 stores in North America, has commissioned PBD to design the identity for an innovative new private label brand.

"The brand will be applied to a variety of products handpicked by Whole Foods Market connoisseurs," said PhilippeBecker, creative director of PBD. "We will develop a strategy and a design system that will allow for maximum flexibility. The brand will eventually roll out and be applied to a variety of package sizes, materials and structures. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Whole Foods Market new product development team."

About PBD
PhilippeBecker Design is a San Francisco based packaging and branding agency leveraging the best of large firm experience in a smart, efficient team, yielding exceptional results for its clients. PhilippeBecker founded the company in 1998, following 11 years as senior designer for Primo Angeli Inc. His work has garnered numerous design prizes, including several Clio and Mobius awards. PBD team leads are all senior level with 10 or more years of large agency experience and particular expertise in the food and beverage industry. Their approach is client-focused and fueled by a desire to deliver effective, outstanding design with a minimum of bureaucracy. PBD's clients include Safeway, Whole Foods Market, Forbes, Stremicks Heritage Foods and the Napa Valley Wine Auction.

PR Contact:
Alexia Morici
Horn Group Inc. (for PBD)
415.905.4006
amorici@horngroup.com