WHOLE FOODS MARKET INC
S-8, 1996-08-30
GROCERY STORES
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     As Filed With The Securities And Exchange Commission On August 30, 1996

                                                    Registration No. 333-_______

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                  --------------------------------------------

                            WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.

               (Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)

           Texas                                        74-1989366
 (State of incorporation)                 (I.R.S. employer identification no.)

                                 601 North Lamar
                                    Suite 300
                                  Austin, Texas
                     (Address of principal executive office)

                                      78703
                                   (Zip code)

              Second Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Incentive Plan
                          of Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.
          1994 Director Stock Option Plan of Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.
                            (Full title of the plans)

                               Glenda J. Flanagan
                   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                            Whole Foods Market, Inc.
                           601 North Lamar, Suite 300
                               Austin, Texas 78703
                                  512-477-5566

            (Name, address and telephone number, including area code,
                              of agent for service)

                                Bruce H. Hallett
                            Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P.
                               717 N. Harwood St.
                                   Suite 1400
                               Dallas, Texas 75201
                                  214-953-0053

                  --------------------------------------------
APPROXIMATE  DATE OF PROPOSED  COMMENCEMENT OF SALES PURSUANT TO THE PLAN: Sales
to the optionees of securities  proposed to be registered  hereunder  will occur
from time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
                  --------------------------------------------

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                    <C>             <C>                  <C>                  <C>   

                                       Proposed Maximum     Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities    Amount to be        Offering             Aggregate         Amount of
 to be Registered      Registered      Price Per Share       Offering Price      Registration Fee
- -------------------    -------------   -----------------    -----------------    -----------------

Common Stock,
no par value           542,212  Shs.   $   33.57            $  18,202,057        $    6,277

</TABLE>

* Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the  registration  fee, which has
been computed in accordance  with Rule 457(h),  based on the average of the high
and low prices  reported  on the  Nasdaq  National  Market for the  registrant's
securities on August 28, 1996.


<PAGE>



ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.


     The  documents  listed (i) through (iii) below are hereby  incorporated  by
reference into this Registration Statement.  All documents subsequently filed by
the Company  pursuant to Section  13(a),  13(c),  14 and 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934 (the  "1934  Act")  prior to  filing  of a  post-effective
amendment  which  indicates that all securities  offered have been sold or which
deregisters  all  securities  then  remaining  unsold,  shall  be  deemed  to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such documents.

     (i) The  Company's  latest  annual  report filed  pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the 1934 Act or the latest  prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or
(c) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"),  which  contains,  either
directly or by incorporation by reference,  certified  financial  statements for
the Company's latest fiscal year for which such statements have been filed.

     (ii) All other  reports  filed  pursuant to Section  13(a) and 15(d) of the
1934 Act since the end of the fiscal year  covered by the annual  reports or the
prospectus referred to in (i) above.

     (iii) The description of the Company's Common Stock which is contained in a
registration  statement  on Form 8-A filed  under the 1934  Act,  including  any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.

     Article 2.02-1 of the Texas Business Corporation Act provides generally and
in pertinent  part that a Texas  corporation  may  indemnify  its  directors and
officers  against  expenses,  judgments,  fines and amounts  paid in  settlement
actually  and  reasonably  incurred  by  them in  connection  with  any  suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than
an action  by or in the right of the  corporation)  if, in  connection  with the
matters  in issue,  they  acted in good  faith and in a manner  they  reasonably
believed  to be in, or not opposed to, the best  interests  of the  corporation,
and, in connection  with any criminal suit or proceeding,  if in connection with
the matters in issue,  they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was
unlawful.



                                       -1-


<PAGE>



     The  registrant's  Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation  provide  that  no
director  shall be liable to the  registrant  or its  shareholders  for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty,  provided that the liability of a director
is not  limited  (i) for any  breach of the  director's  duty of  loyalty to the
registrant or its shareholders,  (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve  intentional  misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iii) an act
related to an unlawful  stock  repurchase  or repayment of a dividend,  (iv) any
transaction from which such director derived an improper personal benefit or (v)
an act or omission for which the  liability of a director is expressly  provided
by law.

     Article VII of the  registrant's  bylaws  provides,  in  general,  that the
registrant  shall  indemnify its directors and officers under the  circumstances
defined under the Texas  Business  Corporation  Act. The Company has obtained an
insurance  policy  insuring the  directors  and officers of the Company  against
certain  liabilities,  if any, that arise in connection  with the performance of
their duties on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries.

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.

     4(a)   Second Amended and Restated 1991 Stock  Incentive Plan of Fresh 
            Fields Markets, Inc. with amendments thereto (1)

     4(b)   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreements (1)

     4(c)   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (1)

     4(d)   1994 Director Stock Option Plan with amendments thereto (1)

     4(e)   Form of director option agreement (1)

     5      Opinion of Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P. (1)

     23(a)  Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick (1)

     23(b)  Consent of Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P. (included as part of Exhibit 5)

- ------------------

(1)    Filed herewith.

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.

     (1)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:



                                       -2-


<PAGE>



          (a) To file,  during  any  period  in which  offers or sales are being
     made,  a  post-effective  amendment to this  registration  statement to (i)
     included any prospectus  required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
     of 1933;  (ii) reflect in the  prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the  effective  date of the  registration  statement  (or the  most  recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which,  individually or in the aggregate,
     represent  a  fundamental  change  in  the  information  set  forth  in the
     registration  statement;  and (iii) include any material  information  with
     respect  to the  plan  of  distribution  not  previously  disclosed  in the
     registration  statement or any material  change to such  information in the
     registration statement; and

          (b) That,  for the  purpose of  determining  any  liability  under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective  amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new  registration  statement  relating  to the  securities  offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to
     be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

          (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any  of  the  securities  being  registered  which  remain  unsold  at  the
     termination of the offering.

     (2) The  undersigned  registrant  hereby  undertakes  that, for purposes of
determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's  annual  report  pursuant to Section  13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  (and,  where  applicable,  each  filing of an
employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report  pursuant  to  Section  15(d)  of  the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934)  that is  incorporated  by  reference  in the
registration  statement  shall  be  deemed  to be a new  registration  statement
relating to the securities offered therein,  and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     (3) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons of
the registrant  pursuant to the  certificate of  incorporation  or bylaws of the
registrant or otherwise,  the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
the Securities and Exchange  Commission such  indemnification  is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is,  therefore,  unenforceable.  In the event
that a claim  for  indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other  than the
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling  person of the registrant in the  successful  defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,  officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered,  the registrant will, unless
in the  opinion  of its  counsel  the matter  has been  settled  by  controlling
precedent,  submit to a court of appropriate  jurisdiction  the question whether
such  indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


                                       -3-


<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the City of Austin  and the  State of Texas,  on the 29th day of
August, 1996.


                                           WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.


                                           By  /s/ Glenda J. Flanagan
                                               Glenda J. Flanagan, Vice
                                               President and Chief Financial
                                               Officer


     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,
this  registration  statement has been signed below by the following  persons in
the capacities and on August 29, 1996.


Signature                                  Title



/s/ John P. Mackey                         Chairman of the Board
John P. Mackey                             and Director
                                           (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Glenda J. Flanagan                     Chief Financial Officer
Glenda J. Flanagan                         (Principal Financial Officer and 
                                           Accounting Officer)

/s/ Cristina G. Banks                      Director
Dr. Cristina G. Banks


/s/ John B. Elstrott                       Director
Dr. John B. Elstrott


/s/ Avram J. Goldberg                      Director
Avram J. Goldberg


                                      II-1


<PAGE>





/s/ Fred "Chico" Lager                     Director
Fred "Chico" Lager


/s/ Linda A. Mason                         Director
Linda A. Mason


/s/ Ralph Z. Sorenson                      Director
Dr. Ralph Z. Sorenson


/s/ James P. Sud                           Director
James P. Sud






                                      II-2


<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

4(a)     Second  Amended and  Restated  1991 Stock  Incentive  Plan of Fresh  
         Fields Markets, Inc. (1)

4(b)     Forms of Incentive Stock Option Agreements(1)

4(c)     Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (1)

4(d)     1994 Director Stock Option Plan, as amended (1)

4(e)     Form of director option agreement (1)

5        Opinion of Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P.

23(a)    Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick.

23(b)    Consent of Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P. (included as part of Exhibit 5(a)).


- -------

(1)      File herewith..
                                       E-1

<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT 4(a)
            
<PAGE>

                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.

                           Second Amended and Restated
                            1991 Stock Incentive Plan


     SECTION I. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN.

     The purposes of this Fresh Fields  Markets,  Inc. 1991 Stock Incentive Plan
(the "1991 Plan") are (i) to provide long-term  incentives to those employees of
the  Corporation  designated by the Committee (the "Employee  Participants")  of
Fresh Fields Markets,  Inc. (the  "Corporation")  and its subsidiaries (if any),
and any other persons (the "Non-employee Participants") who are in a position to
contribute  to the  long-term  success  and  growth of the  Corporation  and its
subsidiaries,  (ii) to  assist  the  Corporation  in  retaining  and  attracting
executives  and employees with  requisite  experience and ability,  and (iii) to
associate more closely the interests of such executives and employees with those
of the  Corporation's  stockholders.  

     SECTION II. DEFINITIONS.

     "Code" is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time
to time.  

     "Common  Stock"  is the $.01 par  value  common  stock of the  Corporation.

     "Committee"  is defined in Section III,  paragraph  (a).  

     "Corporation"  is defined in  Section I.  

     "Corporation  ISOs" are all stock options  (including 1991 Plan ISOs) which
(i) are Incentive Stock Options and (ii) are granted under any plans  (including
this  1991  Plan) of the  Corporation,  a  Parent  Corporation  or a  Subsidiary
Corporation.  

     "Employee Participants" is defined in Section I.

     "Fair  Market  Value"  of any  property  is the  value of the  property  as
reasonably determined by the Committee.



<PAGE>



     "Incentive Stock Option" is a Stock Option which is treated as an incentive
stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

     "1991  Plan" is defined  in  Section I. 

     "1991 Plan  ISOs" are Stock  Options  which are  Incentive  Stock  Options.

     "Non-employee Participants" is defined in Section I. 

     "Non-Qualified  Option"  is a Stock  Option  which  does not  qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option or for which the Committee provides, in the terms of such
option and at the time such  option is  granted,  that the  option  shall not be
treated as an  Incentive  Stock  Option.  

     "Parent  Corporation"  has the meaning  provided  in Section  424(e) of the
Code.  

     "Participants"  are all persons  who are either  Employee  Participants  or
Non-employee  Participants.  

     "Permanent  and Total  Disability"  has the  meaning  provided  in  Section
22(e)(3) of the Code.  

     "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock issued or transferred to an
Employee  Participant  pursuant to Section V. 

     "Section 16 of the 1934 Act" means  Section 16 of the  Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934, or any successor or similar provision. 

     "Stockholder Approval" means the affirmative vote of at least a majority of
the shares of Common  Stock  present and entitled to vote at a duly held meeting
of the  stockholders  of the  Corporation,  unless a greater vote is required by
state law,  the Code,  or the rules  under  Section 16 of the 1934 Act, in which
case such greater requirement shall apply.  Stockholder approval may be obtained
by written consent or other means, to the extent permitted by Delaware law.


                                        2

<PAGE>



     "Stock  Options" are rights granted  pursuant to this 1991 Plan to purchase
shares  of  Common  Stock at a fixed  price.  

     "Subsidiary  Corporation" has the meaning provided in Section 424(f) of the
Code.  

     "Ten  Percent  Stockholder"  means,  with  respect to a 1991 Plan ISO,  any
person who directly or  indirectly  owns stock  possessing  more than 10% of the
total  combined  voting power of all classes of stock of the  Corporation or any
Parent Corporation or any Subsidiary  Corporation at the time such 1991 Plan ISO
is granted.  

     SECTION III. ADMINISTRATION.

     (a) The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors
of the Corporation,  or if the Board so determines, by a Committee designated by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the  administering  body is hereafter
referred to as the  "Committee").  No person shall be eligible to be a member of
the Committee if that person's  membership would prevent the Plan from complying
with Section 16 of the 1934 Act or rules adopted thereunder.  The Committee,  in
administering  the Plan,  shall have such  authority as may from time to time be
determined  by the Board.  

     (b)  Applicable  Law.  This 1991 Plan,  and all Stock Options and awards of
Restricted Stock, shall be governed by the law of the State of Delaware. 

     SECTION IV. TERMS OF STOCK OPTIONS.

     (a)  Agreements.  Stock Options  shall be evidenced by a written  agreement
between the Corporation and the Participant awarded the Stock Option (an "Option
Agreement"). Said Option Agreement shall be in such form, and contain such terms
and conditions (not  inconsistent with this 1991 Plan) as the Board of Directors
or the Committee may  determine.  If the Stock Option  described  therein is not
intended  to be  an  Incentive  Stock  Option,  but  otherwise  qualifies  as an
Incentive Stock Option, such Option Agreement shall include the

                                       
                                        3

<PAGE>



following, or a similar,  statement: "This stock option is not intended to be an
Incentive Stock Option,  as the term is described in Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended."

     (b) Term.  Stock  Options shall be for such periods as may be determined by
the Committee, provided that in the case of 1991 Plan ISOs, the term of any such
1991  Plan  ISO  shall  not  extend  beyond  three  months  after  the  time the
Participant  ceases to be an employee of the  Corporation.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  the  Committee  may provide in a 1991 Plan ISO that, in the event of
the Permanent and Total  Disability or death of the  Participant,  the 1991 Plan
ISO may be  exercised by the  Participant  or his estate (if  applicable)  for a
period of up to one year after the date of such  Permanent and Total  Disability
or death. In no event may a 1991 Plan ISO be exercisable  (including provisions,
if any, for exercise in installments)  subsequent to ten years after the date of
grant,  or, in the case of 1991 Plan ISOs  granted to Ten Percent  Stockholders,
more than five years after the date of grant.  

     (c) Purchase Price. The purchase price of shares purchased  pursuant to any
Stock  Option shall be  determined  by the  Committee,  and shall be paid by the
Participant in full upon exercise, (a) in cash or, (b) as the Committee,  in its
sole discretion,  may permit,  by delivery of (i) shares of Common Stock (valued
at  their  Fair  Market  Value  on the date of such  exercise),  (ii) any  other
property  (valued at its Fair  Market  Value on the date of such  exercise),  or
(iii)  any   combination   of  cash,   stock  and  any  such   other   property.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Committee may establish  cashless  exercise
procedures  which  provide  for  the  exercise  of an  Option  and  sale  of the
underlying  Share by a  designated  broker  and  delivery  of the  Shares by the
Company to such broker.  In no event will the purchase  price of Common Stock be
less than the par value of the Common Stock. Furthermore,  the purchase price of
Common Stock subject to a 1991 Plan ISO shall not be


                                        4

<PAGE>



less than the Fair Market  Value of the Common Stock on the date of the issuance
of the 1991 Plan ISO, provided that in the case of 1991 Plan ISOs granted to Ten
Percent Stockholders, the purchase price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the 1991 Plan ISO.
    
     (d) Further  Restrictions as to Incentive Stock Options. To the extent that
the  aggregate  Fair  Market  Value  of  Common  Stock  with  respect  to  which
Corporation ISOs (determined without regard to this section) are exercisable for
the first time by any  Employee  Participant  during any  calendar  year exceeds
$100,000,  such  Corporation  ISOs shall be  treated  as  options  which are not
Incentive Stock Options.  For the purpose of this  limitation,  options shall be
taken into account in the order  granted,  and the Committee may designate  that
portion of any  Corporation  ISO that shall be treated as not an Incentive Stock
Option in the event that the provisions of this paragraph  apply to a portion of
any option, unless otherwise required by the Code or regulations of the Internal
Revenue  Service.  The  foregoing  designation  may be made at such  time as the
Committee  considers  appropriate,  including to the extent  permitted under the
Code and the  regulations  thereunder  after the grant of the Stock Option or at
the time of its exercise.  For the purpose of this Section IV, Fair Market Value
shall be  determined  as of the time the  option  with  respect to such stock is
granted. 

     (e)  Restrictions.  At the  discretion of the  Committee,  the Common Stock
issued  pursuant  to the Stock  Options  granted  hereunder  may be  subject  to
restrictions on vesting or transferability.


                                        5

<PAGE>



     SECTION V. AWARDS OF RESTRICTED STOCK

     (a) Grant.  The  Committee may grant awards to  Participants  of Restricted
Stock,  which shall be evidenced by a written  agreement  (a  "Restricted  Stock
Agreement")  between the Corporation and the Participant.  Each Restricted Stock
Agreement shall contain such restrictions, terms and conditions as the Committee
may, in its  discretion,  determine and (without  limiting the generality of the
foregoing)  such  Restricted  Stock  Agreements  may require that an appropriate
legend be placed on share  certificates.  Awards of  Restricted  Stock  shall be
subject to the terms and provisions set forth below in this Section V.

     (b) Rights of Participant.  Shares of Restricted  Stock granted pursuant to
an award  hereunder  shall be issued in the name of the  Participant  as soon as
reasonably  practicable after the award is granted provided that the Participant
has executed a Restricted Stock Agreement  evidencing the award, the appropriate
blank stock powers and, in the discretion of the Committee,  an escrow agreement
and any other  documents  which the  Committee may require as a condition to the
issuance of such shares.  If a Participant  shall fail to execute the Restricted
Stock Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock award, the appropriate blank stock
powers and, in the  discretion  of the  Committee,  an escrow  agreement and any
other  documents  which  the  Committee  may  require  within  the  time  period
prescribed by the Committee at the time the award is granted, the award shall be
null and void. At the discretion of the  Committee,  shares issued in connection
with a Restricted Stock award shall be deposited  together with the stock powers
with an escrow agent (which may be the Corporation) designated by the Committee.
Unless the Committee  determines  otherwise  and as set forth in the  Restricted
Stock  Agreement,  upon  delivery  of  the  shares  to  the  escrow  agent,  the
Participant shall have all of the rights of a stockholder


                                        6

<PAGE>



with  respect  to such  shares,  including  the right to vote the  shares and to
receive all  dividends or other  distributions  paid or made with respect to the
shares.

     (c)  Non-transferability.   Until  all  restrictions  upon  the  shares  of
Restricted  Stock awarded to a  Participant  shall have lapsed in the manner set
forth in subsection  (d) and the applicable  Restricted  Stock  Agreement,  such
shares shall not be sold,  transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be
pledged  or  otherwise  hypothecated,   nor  shall  they  be  delivered  to  the
Participant.

     (d) Lapse of  Restrictions.  Restrictions  upon shares of Restricted  Stock
awarded  hereunder  shall  lapse,  and  any  shares  in  respect  of  which  the
restrictions  have not lapsed shall be  forfeited,  at such time or times and on
such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, which restrictions and
forfeiture  provisions  shall be set  forth in the  Restricted  Stock  Agreement
evidencing the award.

     (e)  Treatment of  Dividends.  At the time an award of shares of Restricted
Stock is granted,  the  Committee  may, in its  discretion,  determine  that the
payment  to the  Participant  of  dividends,  or a  specified  portion  thereof,
declared or paid on such shares by the  Corporation  shall be (i) deferred until
the lapsing of the  restrictions  imposed  upon such shares and (ii) held by the
Corporation  for the account of the  Participant  until such time.  In the event
that dividends are to be deferred,  the Committee shall  determine  whether such
dividends are to be reinvested in shares of Common Stock (which shall be held as
additional  shares of Restricted  Stock) or held in cash. If deferred  dividends
are to be held in  cash,  there  may be  credited  at the end of each  year  (or
portion  thereof)  interest on the amount of the account at the beginning of the
year at a rate per annum as the  Committee,  in its  discretion,  may determine.
Payment of deferred  dividends in respect of shares of Restricted Stock (whether
held in cash or as additional shares of Restricted Stock), together


                                        7

<PAGE>



with  interest  accrued  thereon,  if any,  shall be made  upon the  lapsing  of
restrictions  imposed on the shares in respect of which the  deferred  dividends
were paid,  and any  dividends  deferred  (together  with any  interest  accrued
thereon) in respect of any shares of  Restricted  Stock shall be forfeited  upon
the forfeiture of such shares.

     (f)  Delivery of Shares.  Upon the lapse of the  restrictions  on shares of
Restricted  Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate to be delivered
to the Participant with respect to such shares.

     SECTION VI. MISCELLANEOUS

     (a) Withholding of Taxes.  Pursuant to applicable federal,  state, local or
foreign laws, the  Corporation  may be required to collect income or other taxes
upon  the  grant or  exercise  of a Stock  Option  or an  award  or  vesting  of
Restricted Stock. The Corporation may require, as a condition to the issuance or
transfer of any shares  hereunder  in  connection  with the  exercise of a Stock
Option or an award or vesting of Restricted Stock, or demand, at such other time
as it may consider  appropriate,  that the  Participant  pay the Corporation the
amount of any taxes  which the  Corporation  may  determine  is  required  to be
withheld or collected,  and the Participant shall comply with the requirement or
demand of the  Corporation.  In its  discretion,  the  Corporation  may withhold
shares to be received upon  exercise of a Stock Option or in connection  with an
award or vesting of Restricted Stock if it deems this an appropriate  method for
withholding or collecting  taxes.  

     (b) Securities  Law  Compliance.  Upon exercise (or partial  exercise) of a
Stock Option or award of Restricted  Stock,  the  Participant or other holder of
the Stock Option or an award of Restricted Stock shall make such representations
and  furnish  such  information  as  may,  in the  opinion  of  counsel  for the
Corporation, be appropriate to permit the Corporation to issue or transfer stock
in compliance with the provisions of applicable federal and/or state


                                        8

<PAGE>



securities laws. The Corporation,  in its discretion,  may postpone the issuance
and  delivery  of shares of Common  Stock upon any  exercise  of an Option or an
award or vesting of Restricted  Stock until  completion of such  registration or
other  qualification  of such shares  under any federal or state laws,  or stock
exchange listing, as the Corporation may consider appropriate.  Furthermore, the
Corporation  is not  obligated to register or qualify the shares of Common Stock
to be  issued  upon  exercise  of a Stock  Option  or an  award  or  vesting  of
Restricted  Stock under federal and/or state  securities laws (or to register or
qualify them at any time thereafter), and it may refuse to issue such shares if,
in its sole  discretion,  registration  or exemption  from  registration  is not
practical or available.  The  Corporation may require that prior to the issuance
or transfer  of shares of Common  Stock upon  exercise  of a Stock  Option or an
award or vesting  of  Restricted  Stock,  the  Participant  enter into a written
agreement to comply with any  restrictions  on subsequent  disposition  that the
Corporation  deems  necessary or advisable  under any applicable  federal and/or
state securities laws.  Certificates of Common Stock issued hereunder may bear a
legend reflecting such restrictions.

     (c)  Right  to  Stock  Option  or  Restricted  Stock.  No  employee  of the
Corporation  or  any  other  person  shall  have  any  claim  or  right  to be a
Participant  in this  1991  Plan or to be  granted  a Stock  Option  or  awarded
Restricted  Stock  hereunder.  Neither  this  1991  Plan  nor any  action  taken
hereunder  shall be  construed  as giving any person any right to be retained in
the employ of the Corporation. Nothing contained hereunder shall be construed as
giving  any  person  any  equity or  interest  of any kind in any  assets of the
Corporation or creating a trust of any kind or a fiduciary  relationship  of any
kind between the Corporation and any such person. As to any claim for any unpaid
amounts under this 1991 Plan, any person having a claim for payments shall be an
unsecured creditor.


                                        9

<PAGE>



     (d) Indemnity.  Neither the Board of Directors nor the  Committee,  nor any
members  of  either,  nor  any  employees  of the  Corporation  or  any  parent,
subsidiary,  or  other  affiliate,  shall  be  liable  for  any  act,  omission,
interpretation,  construction or determination  made in good faith in connection
with their  responsibilities with respect to this 1991 Plan, and the Corporation
hereby agrees to indemnify the members of the Board of Directors, the members of
the  Committee,  and  the  employees  of  the  Corporation  and  its  parent  or
subsidiaries  in respect  of any  claim,  loss,  damage,  or expense  (including
reasonable  counsel fees) arising from any such act,  omission,  interpretation,
construction or determination to the full extent permitted by law.

     (e) Participation by Foreigners. Without amending this 1991 Plan, except to
the extent  required by the Code in the case of  Incentive  Stock  Options,  the
Committee may modify grants made to  Participants  who are foreign  nationals or
employed outside the United States so as to recognize  differences in local law,
tax policy, or custom.

     SECTION VII. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

     The Board of Directors of the Corporation may at any time, and from time to
time, amend,  suspend or terminate this 1991 Plan in whole or in part; provided,
that neither the Board of Directors  nor the  Committee  may amend or modify the
definition of Employee  Participants,  materially increase the benefits accruing
to  Participants,  increase  the number of shares of Common  Stock  reserved for
purposes of this 1991 Plan, extend the term of this 1991 Plan, materially modify
the  requirements to be a Participant in this 1991 Plan, or otherwise modify the
1991 Plan in any way or manner requiring the approval of the Stockholders  under
the Code or Section  16 of the 1934 Act,  or rules and  regulations  thereunder,
without  Stockholder  Approval and compliance with any applicable law, rules, or
regulations.  Except as provided herein, no amendment, suspension or termination
of this


                                       10

<PAGE>



1991 Plan may, without such Participant's  consent,  affect the rights hereunder
of a Participant to whom a Stock Option or an award of Restricted Stock has been
granted. The Committee is specifically authorized to convert, in its discretion,
the unexercised portion of any 1991 Plan ISO granted to an Employee  Participant
to a  Non-Qualified  Option at any time prior to the exercise,  in full, of such
1991 Plan ISO.

     SECTION VIII. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK

     If there  shall be any  increase  or  decrease  in the  number of shares of
Common Stock,  or any change in the Common Stock or exchange of Common Stock for
a  different  number or kind of shares or other  securities  of the  Company  by
reason   of    reclassification,    merger,    consolidation,    reorganization,
recapitalization,  stock dividend,  stock split or other change in the corporate
structure  of  the  Corporation  (a  "Change  in  Capitalization"),  appropriate
adjustments  may be made by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (or if the
Corporation is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction,  the Board
of Directors of the surviving  corporation) in the aggregate  number and kind of
shares  subject  to this 1991  Plan,  and the  number and kind of shares and the
price per share  subject  to  outstanding  Stock  Options;  provided,  that such
adjustment  does  not  affect  the  qualification  of any  1991  Plan  ISO as an
Incentive Stock Option. In connection with the foregoing, the Board of Directors
may issue new Stock Options in exchange for outstanding Stock Options.

     SECTION IX. SHARES OF STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

     The  number of shares of Common  Stock  that may be the  subject  of awards
under this 1991 Plan shall not exceed an aggregate of 1,000,000  shares.  Shares
to be  delivered  under  this 1991 Plan may be either  authorized  but  unissued
shares of Common Stock or treasury shares.  Any shares subject to a Stock Option
hereunder  which for any reason expires  unexercised,  shares  reacquired by the
Corporation because restrictions thereon do not lapse,


                                       11

<PAGE>


shares returned  because payment is made hereunder in stock of equivalent  value
rather than in cash,  and/or  shares  reacquired  from a recipient for any other
reason shall,  at such time,  no longer count  towards the  aggregate  number of
shares which have been the subject of Stock Options issued  hereunder,  and such
number of shares  shall be  subject  to  further  awards  under  this 1991 Plan;
provided,  that the total  number of shares then  eligible  for award under this
1991 Plan may not  exceed  the total  specified  in the first  sentence  of this
Section IX.

     SECTION X. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THIS PLAN

     The  effective  date of the Plan shall be the date of its  adoption  by the
Board (the "Effective Date"),  subject only to the approval,  within twelve (12)
months of the adoption of the Plan by the Board, by the affirmative  vote of the
holders of a majority of the securities of the Company present,  or represented,
and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders duly held or to act by written
consent,  in either case in accordance  with the applicable laws of the State of
Delaware. Awards under this 1991 Plan may be made during the period of ten years
commencing on the Effective  Date. The period during which a Stock Option may be
exercised or an award of Restricted  Stock may be outstanding  may extend beyond
that time as provided herein.



                                       12

<PAGE>


                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.
                           SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                            1991 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN


     WHEREAS,  Fresh  Fields  Markets,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  has  enacted and
maintained the Fresh Fields Markets, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1991 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of May 11, 1994;

     WHEREAS,   the  Plan  permits  the  grant  of  Incentive   Stock   Options,
Non-Qualified Options and Restricted Stock (all as defined in the Plan);

     WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors  now desires to amend the Plan to increase
the number of shares  authorized  to be issued  thereunder  and to address other
issues; and

     WHEREAS, Section VII of the Plan authorizes the Board of Directors to amend
the  Plan  in  such  a  manner,   subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Company's
stockholders;

     NOW THEREFORE, the Plan hereby is amended as follows:

          1.   Section  I(i) of the Plan is amended to read in its  entirety  as
               follows:

               "(i) to provide  long-term  incentives  in the form of  Incentive
               Stock  Options,  Non-Qualified  Options and  Restricted  Stock to
               those  employees of the  Corporation  designated by the Committee
               (the "Employee  Participants") of Fresh Fields Markets, Inc. (The
               "Corporation")  and its  subsidiaries  (if  any),  and any  other
               persons (the  "Non-employee  Participants") who are in a position
               to  contribute  to  the  long-term  success  and  growth  of  the
               Corporation and its subsidiaries,"

          2.   Section  VII of the Plan is amended by  increasing  the number of
               shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance in accordance with
               the terms of the Plan from 1,000,000 shares to 1,500,000 shares.

          3.   This  Amendment  No. 1 shall be  effective  on  October  5, 1994,
               subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Company's   shareholders  in
               accordance with the Plan.


     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Company has caused  this  Amendment  No. 1 to be
executed by its President this _____ day of October, 1994.




<PAGE>





                                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.



                                           By:    _____________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title: President





<PAGE>
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 2
                                       TO
                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.
                           SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                            1991 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN


     WHEREAS,  Fresh  Fields  Markets,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  has  enacted and
maintained the Fresh Fields Markets, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1991 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), dated as of May 11, 1994;

     WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors  now desires to amend the Plan,  for among
other  reasons,  to  increase  the  number  of  shares  authorized  to be issued
thereunder; and

     WHEREAS, Section VII of the Plan authorizes the Board of Directors to amend
the  Plan  in  such  a  manner,   subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Company's
stockholders;

     NOW THEREFORE, the Plan hereby is amended as follows:

          1.   The first  sentence  of  Section  IV(a) of the Plan is amended to
               read  in  its  entirety  as  follows:   Stock  Options  shall  be
               evidenced,  in the Committee's sole discretion,  by (i) a written
               agreement between the Corporation and the Participant to whom the
               Stock Option is awarded, or (ii) other appropriate means ("Option
               Agreement").

          2.   Section  VII of the Plan is amended by  increasing  the number of
               shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance in accordance with
               the terms of the Plan from 1,500,000 shares to 3,000,000 shares.

          3.   This  Amendment  No. 2 shall be  effective  on  April  25,  1995,
               subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Company's   shareholders  in
               accordance with the Plan.


     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Company has caused  this  Amendment  No. 2 to be
executed by its President this 25th day of April, 1995.



                                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.



                                           By:    _____________________________
                                           Name:  Mark S. Ordan
                                           Title: President




<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT 4(b)

<PAGE>






                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.


                         1994 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN

                            (As Adopted May 11, 1994)








<PAGE>

                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.
                         1994 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN


     1.   Purpose.

          The purpose of this Plan is to assist  Fresh Fields  Markets,  Inc., a
     Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in attracting and retaining directors
     of  exceptional  ability by providing them an opportunity to acquire shares
     of the Company's Shares, thereby encouraging them to devote their abilities
     and service to the success of the Company's business enterprise.

     2.   Definitions.

          For purposes of the Plan:

          2.1  "Agreement"  means the written  agreement between the Company and
               an Optionee  evidencing  the grant of an Option and setting forth
               the terms and conditions thereof.

          2.2  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          2.3  "Cause" means the  commission  of an act of fraud or  intentional
               misrepresentation or an act of embezzlement,  misappropriation or
               conversion of assets or opportunities of the Company.

          2.4  "Change in Capitalization" means any increase or reduction in the
               number of Shares, or any change (including, but not limited to, a
               change in  value)  in the  Shares  or  exchange  of Shares  for a
               different  number or kind of shares  or other  securities  of the
               Company,  by  reason  of  a  reclassification,  recapitalization,
               merger,   consolidation,   reorganization,   spin-off,  split-up,
               issuance  of warrants or rights or  debentures,  stock  dividend,
               stock  split or reverse  stock  split,  cash  dividend,  property
               dividend,  combination  or  exchange  of  shares,  repurchase  of
               shares, or other change in the corporate structure or otherwise.

          2.5  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          2.6  "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

          2.7  "Company" means Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.

          2.8  "Eligible Director" means each member of the Board of the Company
               who is not and has never been an  employee  of the Company or any
               of its subsidiaries.

          2.9  "Exchange  Act" means the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
               amended.


<PAGE>


                                      - 2 -


          2.10 "Fair Market Value" on any date means the average of the high and
               low  sales  prices of the  Shares  on such date on the  principal
               national  securities  exchange on which such Shares are listed or
               admitted  to  trading,  or if such  Shares  are not so  listed or
               admitted to trading, the arithmetic mean of the per Share closing
               bid  price  and per  Share  closing  asked  price on such date as
               quoted  on  the  National   Association  of  Securities   Dealers
               Automated  Quotation  System or such  other  market in which such
               prices are regularly quoted,  or, if there have been no published
               bid or asked  quotations with respect to Shares on such date, the
               Fair Market Value shall be the value  established by the Board in
               good faith from time to time.

          2.11 "Initial  Public  Offering"  means the  consummation of the first
               public  offering of Shares  pursuant to a registration  statement
               filed  with,  and  declared  effective  by,  the  Securities  and
               Exchange Commission.

          2.12 "Option"  means an option to  purchase  Shares  which is  granted
               under the Plan and is subject to the terms set forth herein.

          2.13 "Optionee"  means a person  to whom an  Option  has been  granted
               under the Plan.

          2.14 "Plan" means the Fresh Fields  Markets,  Inc. 1994 Director Stock
               Option Plan.

          2.15 "Shares" means the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
               Company.

     3.   Administration.

          The Plan shall be  administered  by the Committee.  The Committee,  in
     administering  the Plan, shall have such authority as may from time to time
     be determined by the Board.

     4.   Stock Subject to the Plan.

          4.1  The  maximum  number of Shares  that may be made the  subject  of
               Options  granted  under  the Plan is  100,000.  Upon a Change  in
               Capitalization, the maximum number of Shares shall be adjusted in
               number and kind  pursuant to Section 6. The Company shall reserve
               for the purposes of the Plan,  out of its authorized but unissued
               Shares or out of Shares held in the Company's treasury, or partly
               out of each,  such number of Shares as shall be determined by the
               Board.

          4.2  Upon the  granting of an Option,  the number of Shares  available
               under  Section 4.1 for the granting of further  Options  shall be
               reduced by the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is
               granted.



<PAGE>


                                      - 3 -


          4.3  Whenever any outstanding  Option or portion thereof  expires,  is
               canceled or is otherwise terminated for any reason without having
               been  exercised  or  payment  having  been made in respect of the
               entire Option,  the Shares allocable to the expired,  canceled or
               otherwise  terminated  portion  of the  Option  may  again be the
               subject of Options granted hereunder.

     5.   Option Grants.

          5.1  Grant  of  Options.  Subject  to  there  being  Shares  available
               pursuant to Section  4.1, (i) on the  effective  date of the Plan
               each  then  Eligible  Director  shall be  granted  an  Option  to
               purchase 7,500 Shares, except that Howard Shultz and David Fuente
               each  shall be granted an Option to  purchase  20,000  Shares and
               (ii) each person who becomes an Eligible Director thereafter,  as
               of the date he or she first becomes an Eligible  Director,  shall
               be granted an Option to purchase 7,500 Shares.

          5.2  Purchase  Price.  The per Share  purchase price under each Option
               shall be the Fair Market  Value of a Share on the date the Option
               is granted.

          5.3  Vesting.  Each Option  granted under the Plan shall become vested
               and exercisable with respect to 25% of the Shares covered thereby
               on each of the second,  third,  fourth and fifth anniversaries of
               the date of grant  so that  such  Options  are  100%  vested  and
               exercisable  on the  fifth  anniversary  of their  grant.  To the
               extent  not  exercised,  installments  shall  accumulate  and  be
               exercisable,  in  whole or in part,  at any time  after  becoming
               exercisable, but not later than the date the Option expires.

          5.4  Duration. Options granted hereunder shall be for a term ending on
               the date ten (10) years  from the date of grant (the  "Expiration
               Date"),  provided, that if an Optionee's service as a director of
               the  Company  terminates  for any reason (a  "Termination"),  the
               Option,  to the extent not vested and  exercisable on the date of
               the Termination, shall automatically terminate and the Option, to
               the extent  vested  and  exercisable  on the date of  Termination
               shall be  exercisable  only until the  earlier of the  Expiration
               Date, or

               (i)  in the case of Termination by reason of death,  one (1) year
                    after   Termination,   at  which  point  the  Option   shall
                    terminate;

               (ii) in the case of any other  Termination  other than for Cause,
                    three (3) months after the  termination,  at which point the
                    Option shall terminate; and

               (iii)in the  case  of  Termination  for  Cause,  on the  date  of
                    Termination, at which point the Option shall terminate.

          5.5  Non-transferability.   No  Option  granted   hereunder  shall  be
               transferable  by the Optionee to whom granted  otherwise  than by
               will or the laws of descent and  distribution,  and an Option may
               be  exercised  during the lifetime of such  Optionee  only by the
               Optionee  or his or her  guardian  or legal  representative.  The
               terms of such Option shall be


<PAGE>


                                      - 4 -



               final, binding and conclusive upon the beneficiaries,  executors,
               administrators, heirs and successors of the Optionee.

          5.6  Method of Exercise.  The exercise of an Option shall be made only
               by a  written  notice  delivered  in  person  or by  mail  to the
               Secretary  of the Company at the  Company's  principal  executive
               office,  specifying  the  number of Shares  to be  purchased  and
               accompanied by payment  therefor and otherwise in accordance with
               the  Agreement  pursuant  to which the  Option was  granted.  The
               purchase price for any Shares purchased  pursuant to the exercise
               of an Option shall be paid in full upon such  exercise by any one
               of the following methods:  (i) cash, (ii) transferring  Shares to
               the  Company  having a Fair Market  Value  equal to the  exercise
               price or (iii) a combination  of the  foregoing.  Notwithstanding
               the  foregoing,  the Committee may  establish  cashless  exercise
               procedures  which  provide for the exercise of an Option and sale
               of the underlying  Shares by a designated  broker and delivery of
               the Shares by the Company to such broker.  Any Shares transferred
               to the Company as payment of the  purchase  price under an Option
               shall be valued at their Fair Market  Value on the day  preceding
               the  date  of  exercise  of  such  Option.  If  requested  by the
               Committee,  the Optionee  shall deliver the Agreement  evidencing
               the Option to the  Secretary  of the  Company  who shall  endorse
               thereon a notation of such exercise and return such  Agreement to
               the  Optionee.  No  fractional  Shares (or cash in lieu  thereof)
               shall be issued  upon  exercise  of an Option  and the  number of
               Shares that may be purchased  upon  exercise  shall be rounded to
               the nearest number of whole Shares.

          5.7  Rights of Optionees.  No Optionee shall be deemed for any purpose
               to be the owner of any Shares  subject  to any Option  unless and
               until (i) the Option  shall have been  exercised  pursuant to the
               terms  thereof,  (ii) the Company shall have issued and delivered
               the Shares to the Optionee,  (iii) the Optionee's name shall have
               been  entered  as a  stockholder  of  record  on the books of the
               Company, and (iv) the Optionee shall have delivered all documents
               required by the  Committee in its sole  discretion,  including an
               executed stockholder's  agreement.  Thereupon, the Optionee shall
               have full  voting,  dividend  and  other  ownership  rights  with
               respect to such  Shares,  subject  to such  terms and  conditions
               (including  repurchase  rights in favor of the Company) as may be
               set forth in the applicable Agreement.

     6.   Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization.

               (a)  Subject  to  Section 7  hereof,  in the event of a Change in
                    Capitalization,  the Committee shall conclusively  determine
                    the  appropriate  adjustments,  if any,  to the (i)  maximum
                    number and class of Shares or other stock or securities with
                    respect to which Options may be granted under the Plan, (ii)
                    number of Shares  with  respect to which  Options  are to be
                    granted to any Eligible Director during the term of the Plan
                    pursuant to Section  5.1,  and (iii) the number and class of
                    Shares or other  stock or  securities  which are  subject to
                    outstanding Options granted under the Plan, and the purchase
                    price therefor, if applicable.

               (b)  Subject  to  Section 7 hereof,  if, by reason of a Change in
                    Capitalization, an Optionee shall be entitled to exercise an
                    Option with respect to, new,


<PAGE>


                                      - 5 -



                    additional or different shares of stock or securities,  such
                    new,  additional  or  different  shares  shall  thereupon be
                    subject to all of the  terms,  conditions  and  restrictions
                    which were  applicable  to the Shares  subject to the Option
                    prior to such Change in Capitalization.

     7.   Effect of Certain Transactions.

          Except as otherwise provided in an Agreement,  in the event of (i) the
     liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) a merger or consolidation
     of the Company (a "Transaction"), the Plan and the Options issued hereunder
     shall continue in effect in accordance with their respective terms and each
     Optionee shall be entitled to receive,  in respect of each Share subject to
     any  outstanding  Option upon  exercise of the Option,  the same number and
     kind of stock, securities, cash, property, or other consideration that each
     holder of a Share was entitled to receive in the  Transaction in respect of
     a Share; provided, however, that such stock, securities, cash, property, or
     other  consideration  shall remain subject to all of the terms,  conditions
     and  restrictions  which  were  applicable  to the  Options  prior  to such
     Transaction.

     8.   Termination and Amendment of the Plan.

          The Plan shall terminate on the day preceding the tenth anniversary of
     the  date  of its  adoption  by the  Board  and no  Option  may be  granted
     thereafter.  The Board may sooner  terminate  the Plan and the Board may at
     any time and from time to time amend, modify or suspend the Plan; provided,
     however, that:

                    (a)  No  such   amendment,   modification,   suspension   or
                         termination shall impair or adversely alter any Options
                         theretofore  granted  under the Plan,  except  with the
                         consent  of the  Optionee,  nor  shall  any  amendment,
                         modification,  suspension  or  termination  deprive any
                         Optionee  of  any  Shares  which  he or  she  may  have
                         acquired through or as a result of the Plan;

                    (b)  To the  extent  necessary  under  Section  16(b) of the
                         Exchange Act and the rules and regulations  promulgated
                         thereunder or other  applicable law, no amendment shall
                         be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the
                         Company  in   accordance   with   applicable   law  and
                         regulations; and

                    (c)  The  provisions  of Section 5 shall not be amended more
                         often  than once  every six (6)  months,  other than to
                         comport  with   changes  in  the  Code,   the  Employee
                         Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,  or
                         the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

     9.   Regulations and Other Approvals; Governing Law.

          9.1  Except as to matters of federal law,  this Plan and the rights of
               all persons claiming  hereunder shall be construed and determined
               in  accordance  with the laws of the  State of  Delaware  without
               giving effect to conflicts of law principles. Nothing in the Plan


<PAGE>


                                      - 6 -


               shall be construed to give any person any rights  whatsoever with
               respect to Shares, except as specifically provided in the Plan.

          9.2  Following  an Initial  Public  Offering,  the Plan is intended to
               comply with Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the
               Committee  shall  interpret and  administer the provisions of the
               Plan or any  Agreement  in a  manner  consistent  therewith.  Any
               provisions  inconsistent  with such Rule shall be inoperative and
               shall not affect the validity of the Plan.

          9.3  The Board from time to time may make such  changes to the Plan as
               may be  necessary  or  appropriate  to comply  with the rules and
               regulations of any government authority.

          9.4  The  obligation  of the  Company to sell or deliver  Shares  with
               respect to Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to all
               applicable laws, rules and regulations,  including all applicable
               federal and state  securities laws, and the obtaining of all such
               approvals by governmental  agencies as may be deemed necessary or
               appropriate  by the  Committee.  Each  Option is  subject  to the
               requirement that, if at any time the Committee determines, in its
               discretion,  that the listing,  registration or  qualification of
               Shares  issuable   pursuant  to  the  Plan  is  required  by  any
               securities  exchange  or under any state or federal  law,  or the
               consent  or  approval  of any  governmental  regulatory  body  is
               necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection  with,
               the grant of an Option or the  issuance  of  Shares,  no  Options
               shall be granted or payment made or Shares issued, in whole or in
               part,  unless listing,  registration,  qualification,  consent or
               approval has been effected or obtained free of any  conditions as
               acceptable to the Committee.

          9.5  Notwithstanding  anything  contained in the Plan or any Agreement
               to the  contrary,  in the event  that the  disposition  of Shares
               acquired  pursuant to the Plan is not  covered by a then  current
               registration  statement  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
               amended, and is not otherwise exempt from such registration, such
               Shares  shall  be  restricted  against  transfer  to  the  extent
               required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and Rule 144
               or other  regulations  thereunder.  The Committee may require any
               individual  receiving  Shares pursuant to an Option granted under
               the Plan, as a condition  precedent to receipt of such Shares, to
               represent  and warrant to the Company in writing  that the Shares
               acquired by such  individual  are acquired  without a view to any
               distribution  thereof and will not be sold or  transferred  other
               than pursuant to an effective registration thereof under said Act
               or pursuant to an exemption  applicable  under the Securities Act
               of 1933,  as amended,  or the rules and  regulations  promulgated
               thereunder.  The certificates evidencing any of such Shares shall
               be  appropriately  amended to reflect  their status as restricted
               securities as aforesaid.

          10.  Effective  Date. The effective date of the Plan shall be the date
               of its  adoption  by the  Board,  subject  only to the  approval,
               within  twelve  (12)  months of the  adoption  of the Plan by the
               Board,  by the  affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority of
               the  securities  of the  Company  present,  or  represented,  and
               entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders duly


<PAGE>


                                      - 7 -



               held or to act by written  consent,  in either case in accordance
               with the applicable laws of the State of Delaware.




<PAGE>
                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.
                        INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


     Incentive  Stock Option  Agreement  (the "Option") made effective as of the
____  day of  __________,  199___,  between  Fresh  Fields  Markets,  Inc.  (the
"Corporation"), and ______________________________ (the "Employee"), an employee
of the  Corporation,  a Parent or a  Subsidiary,  pursuant to the  Corporation's
Second Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended to date and as
it may be further amended from time to time (the "1991 Plan").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS,  the  1991  Plan  provides  for the  issuance  of  Stock  Options,
including  Stock Options  intended to qualify as "Incentive  Stock  Options," as
defined in Section 422 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended (the
"Code"), and

     WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Employee desire to enter into an agreement
whereby the Corporation  will grant the Employee an option to purchase shares of
the Common Stock,  and this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive  Stock
Option;

     NOW  THEREFORE,  for good  and  valuable  consideration,  the  receipt  and
sufficiency of which is hereby  acknowledged,  the  Corporation and the Employee
agree as follows:

     1.   Grant of Option

     Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 1991 Plan and this Option,  the
Corporation hereby grants to the Employee an Option to purchase,  as provided in
Section 3  hereof,  all or any part of a total of  ___________  shares of Common
Stock (the  "Option  Shares").  This Option is  expressly  subject to all of the
terms and  conditions  contained  in this Option and in the 1991 Plan,  which is
hereby  incorporated  herein by reference.  All capitalized terms not defined in
this Option have the meanings specified in the 1991 Plan.

     2.   Purchase Price

     The price at which the Option Shares may be purchased  shall be [_____] per
share (the "Option Exercise Price"). This price is not less than the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock on the date of this Option.

     3.   Exercise of Option

     (a)  Subject to the provisions of Sections 3(b),  3(c) and 4, and the right
          of the  Corporation  to  accelerate  the date upon which any or all of
          this Option  becomes  exercisable,  the Employee  shall be entitled to
          exercise  this Option  with  respect to the  percentage  of the Option
          Shares as follows:



<PAGE>


                                      - 2 -

                                                             Percentage of
 Years Elapsed From the                                      Total Option
  Date of This Option                                     Shares Purchasable

2 or more, but not more than 10                                   25%
3 or more, but not more than 10                                   50%
4 or more, but not more than 10                                   75%
5 or more, but not more than 10                                  100%

     (b)  The Employee  shall not be entitled to exercise  this Option under the
          provisions  of this  Section  3,  in  whole  or in  part,  before  the
          occurrence of both of the following  events:  (i)  consummation of the
          first public offering of shares of the  Corporation's  Common Stock by
          the Corporation  pursuant to a registration  statement filed with, and
          declared  effective by, the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the
          "Initial Public Offering"); and (ii) registration of the Option Shares
          under the Securities Act of 1933. the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
          and state securities laws.

     (c)  Notwithstanding  any provision of this Option to the  contrary,  in no
          event may this  Option be  exercised  after 10 years  from the date of
          this Option (the "Expiration Date").

     4.   Termination of Employment; Demotion

     (a)  If the Employee ceases to be employed by the Corporation, a Parent, or
          a Subsidiary (a "Termination"), then this Option may be exercised only
          as to the Option Shares with respect to which the Employee  could have
          exercised  this Option on the date of  Termination,  and which  Option
          Shares have not been previously purchased (and the Option with respect
          to all remaining  Option Shares shall terminate  immediately  upon the
          Termination), until the earlier of the Expiration Date, or:

          (i)  in the case of  Termination  by reason of death or Permanent  and
               Total Disability, one year after termination of employment, after
               which time this Option shall terminate entirely;

          (ii) in the case of any other Termination,  other than Termination for
               cause,  three months after the  termination of employment,  after
               which time this Option shall terminate entirely;

          (iii)unless the Committee  (as that term is defined in Section  III(a)
               of the Plan) determines otherwise, in the case of Termination for
               cause, on the date of  Termination,  after which time this Option
               shall terminate entirely.

     (b)  In the event the Employee  takes an approved leave of absence from the
          Corporation which exceeds six consecutive months in duration,  whether
          such leave of absence is paid or unpaid,  this Option shall be treated
          as if the Employee had  terminated  his  employment  for reasons other
          than for cause under Section 4(a)(ii) as of the first day of the leave
          of absence;



<PAGE>


                                      - 3 -


          provided,  however,  that in the case of an approved  leave of absence
          for a period consisting of six consecutive months or less, any portion
          of this Option which becomes  exercisable during such leave of absence
          may not be exercised by the  Employee  until he returns to  employment
          with the Corporation  for a period of such number of consecutive  days
          equal to the number of days constituting his leave of absence (or such
          lesser number as the Committee  may approve);  and further,  provided,
          however,  that the  Committee,  in its sole  discretion,  may treat an
          approved leave of absence of more than six  consecutive  months as not
          constituting a Termination other than for cause with respect to all or
          a portion of the Option Shares subject to this Option.

     (c)  In the event the  Employee  is  demoted,  the  Committee,  in its sole
          discretion,  may terminate  this Option in whole or in part, and if it
          is terminated in part, it shall determine the extent to which, if any,
          the  remaining  Option  Shares  have  become  exercisable  pursuant to
          Section 3 and the time or times at which any  portion  of this  Option
          which is then unexercisable will become exercisable.

     5.   Nontransferability; Persons Able to Exercise

     This  Option  may not be  transferred  other  than  by will or the  laws of
descent and distribution. During the life of the Employee, only the Employee may
exercise  this  Option.  If  the  Employee  dies  while  still  employed  by the
Corporation,  or within the periods  specified in Section  4(a)(i) or (ii), this
Option  may  be  exercised  by  his  executors,   administrators,   legatees  or
distributees, provided that such person or persons comply with the provisions of
this Option applicable to the Employee.

     6.   Method of Exercising Option

     The Option may be exercised,  in whole or in part, by written notice to the
Corporation, containing an executed Notice of Exercise in the form of Attachment
A, provided that the Corporation, in its discretion, may modify or augment these
requirements  as provided  in Section 10 of this  Option,  or where  appropriate
because a person other than the Employee is  exercising  the Option  pursuant to
Section 5. The written notice specified in this Section 6 must be accompanied by
payment of the Option  Exercise  Price for the shares being  purchased.  Payment
shall  be  made  in  cash,  unless  the  Corporation,  in its  sole  discretion,
authorizes  payment  to be made in  shares  of the  Corporation's  Common  Stock
(valued at its Fair Market Value as most  recently  determined  by the Committee
(or, in its  absence,  the Board) for  purposes of the Plan prior to the date of
exercise) or a combination  of such shares and cash. As soon as practical  after
receipt of this notice and payment,  and subject to Section 10, the  Corporation
shall deliver a certificate or certificates  representing  the purchased  Option
Shares  registered in the name of the person or persons  exercising this Option.
In the event this Option is exercised by any person other than the Employee, the
notice shall be accompanied by appropriate  proof of the right of such person to
exercise  this Option.  All Option  Shares  purchased  upon the exercise of this
Option and  payment  of the full  Option  Exercise  Price will be fully paid and
nonassessable.



<PAGE>


                                      - 4 -


     7.   Stock Adjustments

     If there shall be any Change in Capitalization,  appropriate adjustments in
the total  number  and kind of shares  subject  to this  Option  and the  Option
Exercise Price, consistent with the requirements of the Code to insure that this
Option  will  qualify  as an  Incentive  Stock  Option,  shall  be  made  by the
Corporation as provided in the 1991 Plan.

     8.   No Rights Other than Those Expressly Created

     Neither  this Option nor any action taken  hereunder  shall be construed as
(i) giving the  Employee  any right to be retained in the employ of, or continue
to be affiliated with, the  Corporation,  (ii) giving the Employee any equity or
interest of any kind in any assets of the Corporation, or (iii) creating a trust
of any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Employee and the
Corporation.  As to any claim for any  unpaid  amounts  under this  Option,  any
person having a claim for payments shall be an unsecured creditor.  The Employee
shall not have any of the  rights of a  stockholder  with  respect to any Option
Shares until such time as this Option has been  exercised and Option Shares have
been issued.

     9.   Exercise for Cash

     If the  Employee  desires to exercise  this Option in respect of any Option
Shares, in accordance with Section 4 after his Termination,  the Corporation, in
lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock,  may elect to make a cash payment to the
Employee  in respect of each such  Option  Share  equal to the excess of the per
share Fair Market Value as most recently determined by the Committee (or, in its
absence,  the Board) for  purposes of the Plan over the Option  Exercise  Price.
Such payment  shall be in full  satisfaction  of the  Corporation's  obligations
under this Option in respect of such Option Shares.

     10.  Compliance with Laws

     (a)  Withholding of Taxes. Pursuant to applicable federal,  state, local or
          foreign laws, the  Corporation  may be required to collect or withhold
          income or other taxes from Employee upon the grant of this Option, the
          exercise of this Option,  or at some other time. The  Corporation  may
          require, as a condition to the exercise of this Option or the issuance
          of Option Shares pursuant thereto, or demand, at such other time as it
          may consider  appropriate,  that the Employee pay the  Corporation the
          amount of any taxes which the Corporation may determine is required to
          be  collected  or  withheld,  and the  Employee  shall comply with the
          requirement or demand of the Corporation.

     (b)  Securities Law Compliance. Upon exercise (or partial exercise) of this
          Option, the Employee shall make such  representations and furnish such
          information as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation,  be
          appropriate to permit the  Corporation to issue or transfer the Option
          Shares in compliance with the provisions of applicable  federal and/or
          state  securities  laws.  The  Corporation,  in  its  discretion,  may
          postpone the issuance and delivery of Option  Shares upon any exercise
          of this Option until completion of such registration or other


<PAGE>


                                      - 5 -


          qualification of such shares under any federal or state laws, or stock
          exchange  listing,  as  the  Corporation  may  consider   appropriate.
          Furthermore,  the  Corporation is not obligated to register or qualify
          the shares of Common  Stock to be issued upon  exercise of this Option
          under federal and/or state  securities laws (or to register or qualify
          them at any time  thereafter,  and it may refuse to issue such  shares
          if,  in  its  sole   discretion,   registration   or  exemption   from
          registration  is not  practical  or  available.  The  Corporation  may
          require that prior to the  issuance or transfer of Option  Shares upon
          exercise of this Option,  the Employee enter into a written  agreement
          to comply with any  restrictions  on subsequent  disposition  that the
          Corporation deems necessary or advisable under any applicable  federal
          and/or  state  securities  laws.  Certificates  of Common Stock issued
          hereunder may bear a legend reflecting such restrictions.

     (c)  General. No Option Shares shall be issued upon exercise of this Option
          unless and until the Corporation is satisfied, in its sole discretion,
          that there has been compliance with all legal requirements  applicable
          to the issuance of such Option Shares

     11.  Resale Restriction

     Employee or his  transferee  agrees,  in connection  with an Initial Public
Offering, not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate,  pledge, grant
any  option for the  purchase  of or  otherwise  dispose of any shares of Common
Stock purchased pursuant to this Option without the prior written consent of the
Corporation or its underwriters, for such period of time from the effective date
of the  applicable  registration  statement as may be set by the  Corporation or
such underwriters.

     12.  Miscellaneous

     (a)  Discretion of the  Committee.  Unless  otherwise  explicitly  provided
          herein,  the  Committee,  as  defined  in the  Plan,  shall  make  all
          determinations required to be made hereunder, including determinations
          required  to be made  by the  Corporation,  and  shall  interpret  all
          provisions of this Option, as it deems necessary or desirable,  in its
          sole   and   unfettered    discretion.    Such    determinations   and
          interpretations shall be binding and conclusive to the Corporation and
          the Employee.

     (b)  $100.000 Limitation.  As provided in Section IV(d) of the Plan, if the
          aggregate  Fair  Market  Value of Common  Stock with  respect to which
          Corporation  ISOs  (determined  without regard to Section IV(d) of the
          Plan) are  exercisable  for the first time by the Employee  during any
          calendar year exceeds  $100,000,  a portion of such  Corporation  ISOs
          (which may include this Option)  shall be treated as options which are
          not Incentive  Stock  Options.  For purposes of this  limitation,  (i)
          options shall be taken into account in the order granted, and (ii) the
          Committee may designate that portion of any Corporation ISO (including
          this Option) that shall be treated as not an Incentive Stock Option if
          the  provisions  of this  paragraph  apply to a portion of any option,
          unless another treatment is required by the Code or regulations of the
          Internal  Revenue  Service.  The foregoing  designation may be made at
          such time as the Committee considers appropriate,  including after the
          issuance of this Option or at the time of



<PAGE>


                                      - 6 -


          its exercise. For the purpose of this section, Fair Market Value shall
          be  determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is
          granted.

     (c)  Reservation of Shares. During the term of this Option, the Corporation
          shall at all times reserve and keep  available  shares of Common Stock
          sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Option.

     (d)  Amendments.  This  Option may only be modified or amended by a writing
          signed by both parties.

     (e)  Notices.  Any notices  required to be given under this Option shall be
          sufficient if in writing and if sent by certified mail, return receipt
          requested, and addressed as follows:

     if to the Corporation:

                  Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.
                  4948 Boiling Brook Parkway
                  Rockville, Maryland 20852

     if to the Employee:

          [         ]

or to such other  address as either  party may  designate  under the  provisions
hereof.

     (f)  Successors and Assigns.  The rights and obligations of the Corporation
          under this Option  shall  inure to the benefit of and be binding  upon
          the successors and assigns of the Corporation.

     (g)  Applicable Law. All rights and obligations  under this Option shall be
          governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

     (h)  Paragraph Headings. The paragraph headings used in this Option are for
          convenience or reference,  and are not to be construed as part of this
          Option.

     (i)  Counterparts.   This   Agreement  may  be  executed  in  one  or  more
          counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all
          of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.




<PAGE>


                                      - 7 -


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Option as an instrument
under seal effective as of the date written on the first page of this Option.

                                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.


                                           By: ________________________________
                                               Mark S. Ordan, President




<PAGE>



                                  ATTACHMENT A
                               NOTICE OF EXERCISE


Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.
4948 Boiling Brook Parkway
Rockville, Maryland 20852

Attention:        Treasurer

Gentlemen:

     Pursuant   to  our   Incentive   Stock   Option   Agreement   dated  as  of
_______________, I hereby elect to exercise this Option to the extent indicated:


_______________________________________________________________________________
    Number of Shares                  Per Share               Total
    Which I Elect to Purchase x       Price          =        Price


_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________


     Enclosed with this Notice of Exercise is full payment of the total price of
the shares  described  above in the form of a check in the amount of  $_________
payable to the order of the Corporation, and, if and to the extent the Committee
has so authorized,  shares of Common Stock of the Corporation  properly endorsed
and having a Fair Market Value equal to $__________.

     Kindly issue a certificate or certificates to me representing the shares of
Common  Stock  which I am  acquiring  by this  exercise,  and  deliver it to the
address provided below.

Executed as of this ______ date of _______________, 199__.

                                           Very truly yours,


                                           ____________________________________
                                           [Name]


_______________________________________________________________________________
                                     Address



<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4(c)

<PAGE>

                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.
                      NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


     Non-Qualified  Stock Option  Agreement  (the "Option") made effective as of
the ____ day of  ______________,  199__ between Fresh Fields Markets,  Inc. (the
"Corporation"), and _______________________ (the "Employee"), an employee of the
Corporation,  a Parent or a  Subsidiary,  pursuant to the  Corporation's  Second
Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended to date and as it may
be further amended from time to time (the "1991 Plan").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS,  the  1991  Plan  provides  for the  issuance  of  Stock  Options,
including  Stock Options which do not qualify as "Incentive  Stock  Options," as
defined in Section 422 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended (the
"Code"), and

     WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Employee desire to enter into an agreement
whereby the Corporation  will grant the Employee an option to purchase shares of
the Common  Stock,  and this Option is not  intended to qualify as an  Incentive
Stock Option;

     NOW  THEREFORE,  for good  and  valuable  consideration,  the  receipt  and
sufficiency of which is hereby  acknowledged,  the  Corporation and the Employee
agree as follows:

     1.   Grant of Option

     Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 1991 Plan and this Option,  the
Corporation hereby grants to the Employee an Option to purchase,  as provided in
Section 3 hereof,  all or any part of a total of _______  shares of Common Stock
(the "Option Shares").  This Option is expressly subject to all of the terms and
conditions  contained  in this  Option  and in the 1991  Plan,  which is  hereby
incorporated herein by reference. This Option is not intended to be an Incentive
Stock  Option,  as the term is described in Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended.  All capitalized  terms not deemed in this Option have
the meanings specified in the 1991 Plan.

     2.   Purchase Price

     The price at which the Option Shares may be purchased shall be $_______ per
share (the "Option Exercise Price").

     3.   Exercise of Option

     Subject to the provisions of Section 4 and the right of the  Corporation to
accelerate  the date upon which any or all of this Option  becomes  exercisable,
the Employee shall be entitled to exercise this Option, in whole or in part, one
year after the date hereof upon the occurrence of both of the following  events:
(i)  consummation  of the first public  offering of shares of the  Corporation's
Common Stock by the Corporation pursuant to a registration statement filed with,
and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the "Initial
Public  Offering");  and  (ii)  registration  of the  Option  Shares  under  the
Securities Act of 1933, the


<PAGE>


                                      - 2 -

Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 and state securities laws.  Notwithstanding any
provision  of this  Option  to the  contrary,  in no event  may this  Option  be
exercised after 10 years from the date of this Option (the "Expiration Date").

     4.   Termination of Employment; Demotion

          (a)  If the  Employee  ceases to be  employed  by the  Corporation,  a
               Parent, or a Subsidiary (a  "Termination"),  then this Option may
               be exercised  only as to the Option  Shares with respect to which
               the  Employee  could have  exercised  this  Option on the date of
               Termination,  and which  Option  Shares have not been  previously
               purchased  (and the Option with respect to all  remaining  Option
               Shares shall terminate  immediately upon the Termination),  until
               the earlier of the Expiration Date, or:

               (i)  in the case of  Termination  by reason of death or Permanent
                    and  Total   Disability,   one  year  after  termination  of
                    employment,  after  which time this Option  shall  terminate
                    entirely;

               (ii) in the case of any other Termination, other than Termination
                    for cause, three months after the termination of employment,
                    after which time this Option shall terminate entirely;

               (iii)unless  the  Committee  (as that term is  defined in Section
                    III(a) of the  Plan)  determines  otherwise,  in the case of
                    Termination  for cause,  on the date of  Termination,  after
                    which time this Option shall terminate entirely.

          (b)  In the event the Employee takes an approved leave of absence from
               the Corporation which exceeds six consecutive months in duration,
               whether  such leave of absence  is paid or  unpaid,  this  Option
               shall be treated as if the Employee had terminated his employment
               for reasons other than for cause under Section 4(a)(ii) as of the
               first day of the leave of absence; provided, however, that in the
               case of an approved  leave of absence for a period  consisting of
               six consecutive  months or less, any portion of this Option which
               becomes  exercisable  during  such  leave of  absence  may not be
               exercised by the Employee until he returns to employment with the
               Corporation for a period of such number of consecutive days equal
               to the number of days  constituting his leave of absence (or such
               lesser  number  as  the  Committee  may  approve);  and  further,
               provided,  however,  that the Committee,  in its sole discretion,
               may  treat  an  approved  leave  of  absence  of  more  than  six
               consecutive  months as not constituting a Termination  other than
               for cause with  respect to all or a portion of the Option  Shares
               subject to this Option.

          (c)  In the event the Employee is demoted, the Committee,  in its sole
               discretion, may terminate this Option in whole or in part, and if
               it is terminated in part, it shall determine the extent to which,
               if any,  the  remaining  Option  Shares have  become  exercisable
               pursuant  to Section 3 and the time or times at which any portion
               of  this  Option   which  is  then   unexercisable   will  become
               exercisable.




<PAGE>


                                      - 3 -

     5.   Nontransferability; Persons Able to Exercise

     This  Option  may not be  transferred  other  than  by will or the  laws of
descent and distribution. During the life of the Employee, only the Employee may
exercise  this  Option.  If  the  Employee  dies  while  still  employed  by the
Corporation,  or within the periods  specified in Section  4(a)(i) or (ii), this
Option  may  be  exercised  by  his  executors,   administrators,   legatees  or
distributees, provided that such person or persons comply with the provisions of
this Option applicable to the Employee.

     6.   Method of Exercising Option

     The Option may be exercised,  in whole or in part, by written notice to the
Corporation, containing an executed Notice of Exercise in the form of Attachment
A, provided that the Corporation, in its discretion, may modify or augment these
requirements  as provided  in Section 10 of this  Option,  or where  appropriate
because a person other than the Employee is  exercising  the Option  pursuant to
Section 5. The written notice specified in this Section 6 must be accompanied by
payment of the Option  Exercise  Price for the shares being  purchased.  Payment
shall  be  made  in  cash,  unless  the  Corporation,  in its  sole  discretion,
authorizes  payment  to be made in  shares  of the  Corporation's  Common  Stock
(valued at its Fair Market Value as most  recently  determined  by the Committee
(or, in its  absence,  the Board) for  purposes of the Plan prior to the date of
exercise) or a combination  of such shares and cash. As soon as practical  after
receipt of this notice and payment,  and subject to Section 10, the  Corporation
shall deliver a certificate or certificates  representing  the purchased  Option
Shares  registered in the name of the person or persons  exercising this Option.
In the event this Option is exercised by any person other than the Employee, the
notice shall be accompanied by appropriate  proof of the right of such person to
exercise  this Option.  All Option  Shares  purchased  upon the exercise of this
Option and  payment  of the full  Option  Exercise  Price will be fully paid and
nonassessable.

     7.   Stock Adjustments

     If there shall be any Change in Capitalization,  appropriate adjustments in
the total  number  and kind of shares  subject  to this  Option  and the  Option
Exercise Price shall be made by the Corporation as provided in the 1991 Plan.

     8.   No Rights Other Than Those Expressly Created

     Neither  this Option nor any action taken  hereunder  shall be construed as
(i) giving the  Employee  any right to be retained in the employ of, or continue
to be affiliated with, the  Corporation,  (ii) giving the Employee any equity or
interest of any kind in any assets of the Corporation, or (iii) creating a trust
of any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Employee and the
Corporation.  As to any claim for any  unpaid  amounts  under this  Option,  any
person having a claim for payments shall be an unsecured creditor.  The Employee
shall not have any of the  rights of a  stockholder  with  respect to any Option
Shares until such time as this Option has been  exercised and Option Shares have
been issued.




<PAGE>


                                      - 4 -

     9.   Exercise for Cash

     If the  Employee  desires to exercise  this Option in respect of any Option
Shares, in accordance with Section 4 after his Termination,  the Corporation, in
lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock,  may elect to make a cash payment to the
Employee  in respect of each such  Option  Share  equal to the excess of the per
share Fair Market Value as most recently determined by the Committee (or, in its
absence,  the Board) for  purposes of the Plan over the Option  Exercise  Price.
Such payment  shall be in full  satisfaction  of the  Corporation's  obligations
under this Option in respect of such Option Shares.

     10.  Compliance with Laws

          (a)  Withholding  of Taxes.  Pursuant to  applicable  federal,  state,
               local or foreign laws, the Corporation may be required to collect
               or withhold income or other taxes from Employee upon the grant of
               this Option,  the exercise of this Option, or at some other time.
               The  Corporation  may require,  as a condition to the exercise of
               this Option or the issuance of Option Shares pursuant thereto, or
               demand, at such other time as it may consider  appropriate,  that
               the  Employee pay the  Corporation  the amount of any taxes which
               the  Corporation  may  determine  is required to be  collected or
               withheld,  and the Employee shall comply with the  requirement or
               demand of the Corporation.

          (b)  Securities Law Compliance. Upon exercise (or partial exercise) of
               this Option,  the Employee  shall make such  representations  and
               furnish  such  information  as may, in the opinion of counsel for
               the  Corporation,  be  appropriate  to permit the  Corporation to
               issue or  transfer  the  Option  Shares  in  compliance  with the
               provisions of applicable  federal and/or state  securities  laws.
               The Corporation, in its discretion, may postpone the issuance and
               delivery of Option  Shares upon any exercise of this Option until
               completion of such  registration or other  qualification  of such
               shares  under  any  federal  or state  laws,  or  stock  exchange
               listing,   as   the   Corporation   may   consider   appropriate.
               Furthermore,  the  Corporation  is not  obligated  to register or
               qualify the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon  exercise of
               this Option under  federal  and/or state  securities  laws (or to
               register  or  qualify  them at any  time  thereafter,  and it may
               refuse  to  issue  such  shares  if,  in  its  sole   discretion,
               registration  or exemption from  registration is not practical or
               available. The Corporation may require that prior to the issuance
               or transfer of Option  Shares upon  exercise of this Option,  the
               Employee  enter  into a  written  agreement  to  comply  with any
               restrictions on subsequent disposition that the Corporation deems
               necessary or advisable under any applicable  federal and/or state
               securities  laws.  Certificates of Common Stock issued  hereunder
               may bear a legend reflecting such restrictions.

          (c)  General.  No Option  Shares shall be issued upon exercise of this
               Option unless and until the Corporation is satisfied, in its sole
               discretion,  that  there  has  been  compliance  with  all  legal
               requirements applicable to the issuance of such Option Share.

     11.  Resale Restriction

     Employee or his  transferee  agrees,  in connection  with an Initial Public
Offering, not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate,  pledge, grant
any option for the purchase of or



<PAGE>


                                      - 5 -

otherwise  dispose  of any shares of Common  Stock  purchased  pursuant  to this
Option without the prior written consent of the Corporation or its underwriters,
for such period of time from the effective date of the  applicable  registration
statement as may be set by the Corporation or such underwriters.

     12.  Miscellaneous

          (a)  Discretion of the Committee. Unless otherwise explicitly provided
               herein,  the  Committee,  as defined in the Plan,  shall make all
               determinations   required   to  be  made   hereunder,   including
               determinations required to be made by the Corporation,  and shall
               interpret all provisions of this Option, as it deems necessary or
               desirable,   in  its  sole  and   unfettered   discretion.   Such
               determinations   and   interpretations   shall  be  binding   and
               conclusive to the Corporation and the Employee.

          (b)  Reservation  of  Shares.  During  the  term of this  Option,  the
               Corporation  shall at all times reserve and keep available shares
               of Common Stock  sufficient to satisfy the  requirements  of this
               Option.

          (c)  Amendments.  This  Option  may only be  modified  or amended by a
               writing signed by both parties.

          (d)  Notices. Any notices required to be given under this Option shall
               be sufficient if in writing and if sent by certified mail, return
               receipt requested, and addressed as follows:

               if to the Corporation:

                       Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.
                       4948 Boiling Brook Parkway
                       Rockville, Maryland 20852

               if to the Employee:

                       [          ]

               or to such other address as either party may designate  under the
               provisions hereof.

          (e)  Successors  and  Assigns.  The  rights  and  obligations  of  the
               Corporation  under this Option  shall inure to the benefit of and
               be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Corporation.

          (f)  Applicable  Law.  All rights and  obligations  under this  Option
               shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

          (g)  Paragraph  Headings.  The paragraph  headings used in this Option
               are for convenience or reference,  and are not to be construed as
               part of this Option.



<PAGE>


                                      - 6 -


          (h)  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in one or  more
               counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed to be an  original,
               but all of  which  together  shall  constitute  one and the  same
               instrument.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Option as an instrument
under seal effective as of the date written on the first page of this Option.

                                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.


                                           By:_________________________________
                                                Mark S. Ordan, President





<PAGE>



                                  ATTACHMENT A
                               NOTICE OF EXERCISE


Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.
4948 Boiling Brook Parkway
Rockville, Maryland 20852

Attention:        Treasurer

Gentlemen:

Pursuant   to  our   Non-Qualified   Stock   Option   Agreement   dated   as  of
________________,  I  hereby  elect  to  exercise  this  Option  to  the  extent
indicated:

_______________________________________________________________________________
Number of Shares                            Per Share                  Total
Which I Elect to Purchase x                 Price             =        Price







     Enclosed with this Notice of Exercise is full payment of the total price of
the  shares  described  above in the form of a check in the  amount of  $_______
payable to the order of the Corporation, and, if and to the extent the Committee
has so authorized,  shares of Common Stock of the Corporation  properly endorsed
and having a Fair Market Value equal to $____________.

     Kindly issue a certificate or certificates to me representing the shares of
Common  Stock  which I am  acquiring  by this  exercise,  and  deliver it to the
address provided below.

Executed as of this _____ date of _____________, 199_.

                                           Very truly yours,


                                           ____________________________________
                                           [Name]


_______________________________________________________________________________
                                     Address





<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT 4(d)

<PAGE>

                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.
                         1994 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN


     WHEREAS,  the Fresh Fields  Markets,  Inc. 1994 Director  Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") was approved as of May 11, 1994;

     WHEREAS,  the Board of  Directors  proposes to amend the Plan to change the
vesting  period of options  granted  under the Plan in order to vest one hundred
percent of options granted thereunder two years from the grant date;

     WHEREAS,  Section 8 of the Plan  authorizes the Board of Directors to amend
the  Plan  in  such  a  manner,   subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Company's
stockholders;

     NOW THEREFORE, the Plan hereby is amended as follows:

          1.  Section  5.3 of the Plan is  amended  to read in its  entirety  as
     follows:

          5.3.  Vesting.  Each Option granted under the Plan shall become vested
     and  exercisable  with respect to 100% of the Shares covered thereby on the
     second anniversary of the date of the grant.

          2. This  Amendment  No. 1 shall be  effective on January 26, 1995 with
     respect to any prior or future grant of options under the Plan,  subject to
     the approval of the Company's stockholders in accordance with the Plan.





<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT 4(e)
            
<PAGE>

                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.
                         DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     Director  Stock Option  Agreement  (the  "Option") made effective as of the
_______ day of ________________, 199___, between Fresh Fields Markets, Inc. (the
"Company"),  and (the  "Director"),  a director of the Company,  pursuant to the
Company's 1994 / Director Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Plan provides for the granting of Options to Directors; and

     WHEREAS,  the Company and the  Director  desire to enter into an  agreement
evidencing the grant of an Option to the Director pursuant to the Plan;

     NOW  THEREFORE,  for good  and  valuable  consideration,  the  receipt  and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged,  the Company and the Director agree
as follows:

     1.   Grant of Option

     Pursuant  to the  terms and  conditions  of the Plan and this  Option,  the
Company  hereby  grants to the  Director ah Option to  purchase,  as provided in
Section 3 hereof, all or any part of a total of ____________ Shares (the "Option
Shares").  This Option is expressly  subject to all of the terms and  conditions
contained in this Option and in the Plan, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.  All  capitalized  terms not defined in this Option have the meanings
specified in the Plan.

     2.   Purchase Price

     The  price  at  which  the  Option   Shares  may  be  purchased   shall  be
$_____________ (the "Option Exercise Price").

     3.   Exercise of Option

     Subject to the  provisions of Section 4, the Director  shall be entitled to
exercise  this  Option  with  respect to a  percentage  of the Option  Shares as
follows:

                                                      Percentage
     Years Elapsed From the                        of Total Option
      Date of This Option                         Shares Purchasable
      -------------------                         ------------------
2 or more, but not more than 10                          25%
3 or more, but not more than 10                          50%
4 or more, but not more than 10                          75%
5 or more, but not more than 10                         100%



<PAGE>


                                      - 2 -


Notwithstanding  any provision of this Option to the  contrary,  in no event may
this  Option  be  exercised  after 10 years  from the date of this  Option  (the
"Expiration Date").

     4.   Termination of Directorship

     If  the  Director  ceases  to  serve  as a  director  of  the  Company,  (a
"Termination"),  then this Option may be exercised  only as to the Option Shares
with respect to which the Director  could have exercised this Option on the date
of Termination and which Option Shares have not been  previously  purchased (and
the  Option  with  respect  to  all  remaining  Option  Shares  shall  terminate
immediately upon the Termination), until the earlier of the Expiration Date, or:

          (i)  in the case of Termination by reason of death, one year after the
               Termination, at which point the Option shall terminate;

          (ii) in the case of any other Termination, other than for Cause, three
               months  after the  Termination,  at which point the Option  shall
               terminate;

          (iii)in  the  case  of   Termination   for  Cause,   on  the  date  of
               Termination, at which point the Option shall terminate.

     5.   Nontransferability; Persons Able to Exercise

     This  Option  may not be  transferred  other  than  by will or the  laws of
descent and distribution. During the life of the Director, only the Director may
exercise this Option.  If the Director dies while still serving as a Director of
the Company, or within the period specified in Section 4(ii), this Option may be
exercised by his executors,  administrators,  legatees or distributees, provided
that such person or persons comply with the provisions of this Option applicable
to the Director.

     6.   Method of Exercising Option

     The Option may be exercised,  in whole or in part, by written notice to the
Company,  containing an executed Notice of Exercise in the form of Attachment A,
provided  that the  Company  may  modify or  augment  these  requirements  where
appropriate  because a person other than the Director is  exercising  the Option
pursuant to Section 5. The written  notice  specified  in this Section 6 must be
accompanied by payment of the Option  Exercise Price for the Option Shares being
purchased.  Payment shall be made in cash,  Shares  (valued at their Fair Market
Value  which,  if the Shares  are not then  publicly  traded,  shall be the Fair
Market Value as most recently  established  for purposes of the  Company's  1991
Stock  Incentive  Plan) or a  combination  thereof.  As soon as practical  after
receipt  of this  notice and  payment,  and  subject  to  Sections 9 and 10, the
Company shall deliver a certificate or certificates  representing  the purchased
Option Shares  registered in the name of the person or persons  exercising  this
Option.  In the event this  Option is  exercised  by any  person  other than the
Director, the notice shall be



<PAGE>


                                      - 3 -


accompanied  by  appropriate  proof of the right of such person to exercise this
Option. All Option Shares purchased upon the exercise of this Option and payment
of the full Option Exercise Price will be fully paid and nonassessable.

     7.   Stock Adjustments

     If there shall be any Change in Capitalization,  appropriate adjustments in
the total  number  and kind of shares  subject  to this  Option  and the  Option
Exercise Price shall be made by the Company as provided in the Plan.

     8.   No Rights Other than Those Expressly Created

     Neither  this Option nor any action taken  hereunder  shall be construed as
(i) giving the  Director any right to be retained in the service of, or continue
to be  affiliated  with,  the  Company,  (ii) giving the  Director any equity or
interest of any kind in any assets of the Company,  or (iii) creating a trust of
any kind or a fiduciary  relationship  of any kind  between the Director and the
Company.  As to any claim for any unpaid  amounts under this Option,  any person
having a claim for payments shall be an unsecured  creditor.  The Director shall
not have any of the rights of a  stockholder  with respect to any Option  Shares
until such time as this Option has been  exercised  and Option  Shares have been
issued.

     9.   Repurchase Rights

          (a)  In the event the  Director  ceases to serve as a director  of the
               Company  for any  reason,  the  Company  shall  have the right to
               purchase,  from the  Director or any person to whom the  Director
               has sold or otherwise  transferred his interest (the Director and
               any such  transferee  collectively  hereinafter  referred to as a
               "Holder"),  any and all shares of Common Stock  issued  hereunder
               upon  exercise of this  Option.  This  repurchase  right shall be
               exercisable  by the Company by a delivery of a repurchase  notice
               (a "Notice") to the Holder at any time prior to an Initial Public
               Offering.  The price  payable  to the  Holder by the  Company  in
               connection with the Company's  purchase of any Shares pursuant to
               this  Section 9 shall be the Fair  Market  Value of the shares of
               Common Stock as most recently determined by the Committee (or, in
               its absence, the Board) for purposes of the Plan or the Company's
               Second  Amended and Restated 1991 Stock  Incentive  Plan prior to
               the date of delivery of the Notice. The closing on the repurchase
               of Shares by the Company shall occur within sixty (60) days after
               the date of delivery of the Notice.

          (b)  If,  in  accordance  with  Section  4, the  Director  desires  to
               exercise  this Option in respect of any Option  Shares  after his
               Termination, the Company, in lieu of issuing Shares, may elect to
               make a cash  payment  to the  Director  in  respect  of each such
               Option  Share  equal to the excess of the per share  Fair  Market
               Value (as  described  in  Subsection  9(a) above) over the Option
               Exercise Price. Such payment shall be in full satisfaction of the
               Company's obligations under this Option in respect of such Option
               Shares.




<PAGE>


                                      - 4 -


          (c)  Each stock certificate  issued upon exercise of this Option prior
               to  an   Initial   Public   Offering   shall  bear  a  legend  in
               substantially the following form:

          This  certificate  and the  shares  of stock  represented  hereby  are
          subject to the terms and conditions  (including  rights of repurchase)
          contained in the Fresh Fields Markets, Inc. 1994 Director Stock Option
          Plan  (the  "Plan")  and  a  Director  Stock  Option   Agreement  (the
          "Agreement")  between the registered  owner of the shares  represented
          hereby and Fresh  Fields  Markets,  Inc.  Release  from such terms and
          conditions shall be made only in accordance with the provisions of the
          Plan and the  Agreement,  copies of which are on file in the office of
          the Secretary of Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.

     10.  Compliance with Laws

          (a)  Securities Law Compliance. Upon exercise (or partial exercise) of
               this Option,  the Director  shall make such  representations  and
               furnish  such  information  as may, in the opinion of counsel for
               the  Company,  be  appropriate  to permit the Company to issue or
               transfer the Option Shares in compliance  with the  provisions of
               applicable federal and/or state securities laws. The Company,  in
               its discretion,  may postpone the issuance and delivery of Option
               Shares upon any exercise of this Option until  completion of such
               registration  or other  qualification  of such  shares  under any
               federal or state laws, or stock exchange listing,  as the Company
               may  consider  appropriate.   Furthermore,  the  Company  is  not
               obligated  to  register  or qualify  the Shares to be issued upon
               exercise of this Option under  federal  and/or  state  securities
               laws (or to register or qualify them at any time thereafter), and
               it may  refuse to issue such  Shares if, in its sole  discretion,
               registration  or exemption from  registration is not practical or
               available.  The Company may require that prior to the issuance or
               transfer of Option  Shares  upon  exercise  of this  Option,  the
               Director  enter  into a  written  agreement  to  comply  with any
               restrictions  on  subsequent  disposition  that the Company deems
               necessary or advisable under any applicable  federal and/or state
               securities laws.  Certificates issued hereunder may bear a legend
               reflecting such restrictions.

          (b)  General.  No Option  Shares shall be issued upon exercise of this
               Option  unless and until the  Company is  satisfied,  in its sole
               discretion,  that  there  has  been  compliance  with  all  legal
               requirements applicable to the issuance of such Option Shares.

     11.  Miscellaneous

          (a)  Reservation  of  Shares.  During  the  term of this  Option,  the
               Company  shall at all times  reserve  and keep  available  Shares
               sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Option.

          (b)  Amendments.  This  Option  may only be  modified  or amended by a
               writing signed by both parties.




<PAGE>


                                      - 5 -


          (c)  Notices. Any notices required to be given under this Option shall
               be sufficient if in writing and if sent by certified mail, return
               receipt requested, and addressed as follows:

               if to the Company:

                    Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.
                    4948 Boiling Brook Parkway
                    Rockville, Maryland 20852

               if to the Director:

                    [          ]


               or to such other address as either party may designate  under the
               provisions hereof.

          (d)  Successors and Assigns. The rights and obligations of the Company
               under this  Option  shall  inure to the benefit of and be binding
               upon the successors and assigns of the Company.

          (e)  Applicable  Law.  All rights and  obligations  under this  Option
               shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

          (f)  Paragraph  Headings.  The paragraph  headings used in this Option
               are for convenience or reference,  and are not to be construed as
               part of this Option.

          (g)  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in one or  more
               counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed to be an  original,
               but all of  which  together  shall  constitute  one and the  same
               instrument.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Option as an instrument
under seal effective as of the date written on the first page of this Option.


                                           FRESH FIELDS MARKETS, INC.


                                           By: ________________________________
                                                 Mark S. Ordan, President

                                           DIRECTOR:

           
                                           ____________________________________



<PAGE>


                                  ATTACHMENT A
                               NOTICE OF EXERCISE


Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.
4948 Boiling Brook Parkway
Rockville, Maryland 20852

Attention:        Treasurer


Gentlemen:

     Pursuant to our  Director  Stock  Option  Agreement  dated as of , I hereby
elect to exercise this Option to the extent indicated:


_______________________________________________________________________________
Number of Shares                   Per Share                  Total
Which I Elect to Purchase    x     Price             =        Price

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________


     Enclosed with this Notice of Exercise is full payment of the total price of
the Shares  described above in the form of a check in the amount of $ payable to
the order of the  Company,  and/or  Shares  properly  endorsed and having a Fair
Market Value equal to $ .

     Kindly issue a certificate or certificates  to me  representing  the Shares
which I am acquiring by this  exercise,  and deliver it to the address  provided
below.

Executed as of this ______ date of _____________________, 199_.


                                           Very truly yours,


                                           ____________________________________
                                           [Name]


_______________________________________________________________________________
                                     Address





<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 5

<PAGE>

                                Crouch & Hallett
                   A Registered Limited Liability Partnership
                            ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS

                                 717 N HARWOOD
                                   SUITE 1400
                              DALLAS, TEXAS 75201


Writer's Direct Dial Number                          Telecopy: 214-953-3154
     (214) 953-0053                             


                                 August 30, 1996


Whole Foods Market, Inc.
601 North Lamar
Suite 300
Austin, Texas   78703

Gentlemen:

     We have served as counsel for Whole Foods Market, Inc., a Texas corporation
(the  "Company"),  in  connection  with the  Registration  Statement on Form S-8
covering the sale of a maximum of 542,212 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock,
no par value,  of the Company.  The Shares are to be issued upon the exercise of
options  granted under the stock option plans of Fresh Fields  Markets,  Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, described in the Registration Statement.

     We have  examined  such  documents  and  questions of law as we have deemed
necessary to render the opinion  expressed below.  Based upon the foregoing,  we
are of the opinion  that the Shares,  when  issued and  delivered,  are duly and
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     We  consent to the use of this  opinion  as  Exhibit 5 to the  Registration
Statement.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           /s/ Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P.
                                           Crouch & Hallett, L.L.P.



<PAGE>


                                 EXHIBIT 23(a)

<PAGE>

                         INDEPENDANT AUDITORS' CONSENT
_______________________________________________________________________________


The Board of Directors
Whole Foods Market, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference.


                                           /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick, L.L.P.
                                           KPMG Peat Marwick, L.L.P.

Austin, Texas
August 29, 1996



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