For Immediate Release
November 20, 2006 |
Contact: Eric Eddings, CEO, erice@montereygourmetfoods.com
Scott Wheeler, CFO, scottw@montereygourmetfoods.com
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monterey Gourmet Foods Announces 75thAnniversary of Sonoma Cheese Brand
SALINAS, CA. – November 20, 2006 – Monterey Gourmet Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: PSTA) announced the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of its Sonoma Cheese Brand on Thursday, November 16, 2006.
Sonoma Cheese was founded on November 16, 1931 by Celso Viviani, the grandfather of the current Chief Operating Officer of the company, C. David Viviani. Creator of the original Sonoma Jack Cheese and known for maintaining the highest standards of cheese making traditions, the company had been owned by three generations of the Viviani family until its sale to Monterey Gourmet Foods in April, 2005.
Since joining Monterey Gourmet Foods and utilizing their strong national sales and distribution systems, Sonoma Cheese has increased its distribution from the western states to more than 9,600 grocery supermarkets and club stores nationwide. Revenues for Sonoma Cheese Company in 2004 were $8.2 million. Sales for 2006 are projected at $12.5 million as part of Monterey Gourmet Foods – a two-year compounded growth rate of 29%.
David Viviani stated, “Through three generations, Celso, my father Pete, and I have worked diligently to maintain the highest standards of cheese making traditions. We are proud of the Sonoma Jack successes and we thank our associates, our customers and our friends for their continuous support. We look forward to our bright future.”
Eric Eddings, Chief Executive Officer of Monterey Gourmet Foods, said, “We congratulate the Viviani family and Sonoma Cheese Company on their 75th anniversary. Their strict adherence to high standards is a key reason for their strong performance since becoming part of the Monterey Gourmet Foods family. We also look forward to Sonoma’s bright future of continued solid performance.”
Monterey Gourmet Foods manufactures USDA inspected, fresh gourmet refrigerated food products at its integrated 143,000 square foot corporate headquarters, distribution, and manufacturing facilities in Salinas, (Monterey County) California, Seattle, Washington, and Eugene, Oregon. Monterey Gourmet Foods has national distribution of its products in over 10,000 retail and club stores throughout the United States and selected regions of Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia Pacific.
