1,377 SUBWAY Restaurants in California Now Offer 'California Grown' Sandwich 'Fixins'.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Leader in Submarine Sandwiches Helps Launch Statewide Agricultural Program into Food Service Industry

SUBWAY(R) restaurants throughout the state will now offer a variety of "California Grown" choices as part of their made-for-you sandwich and salad offerings.

Consumers visiting participating SUBWAY restaurants located in Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco can choose produce such as California fresh tomatoes and avocados that are clearly identified as "California Grown." This new partnership with SUBWAY - the world's largest submarine sandwich chain with more than 21,000 restaurants in 75 countries - is helping the statewide "California Grown" program branch out into the coveted food service industry.

"Partnering with the popular 'California Grown' program is a natural for us," said Deep Dhindsa, president of Subway Development Corporation. "SUBWAY is already an established destination for health- conscious consumers and 'California Grown' represents some of the best and most healthy products the world has to offer. We're thrilled to offer our customers fresh and flavorful selections that have an added benefit - they help to support our state's economy, too."

The economic impact of choosing California grown products is significant. In fact, a study conducted last year(1) showed that if Californians were to shift their purchases of California grown products by just 10% annually, it would result in 5,565 new jobs throughout the state and nearly $1.38 billion in additional spending due to increased business activity.

"We're extremely proud to partner with SUBWAY as we begin to enter the food service industry," said Scott Horsfall, chief operations officer of the Buy California Marketing Agreement (BCMA) that oversees the "California Grown" program. "Whether it's wood for a new deck or healthy sandwiches during the lunch hour, our goal is to increase the consumption of locally grown products everywhere we can - in the grocery store, at the hardware store and, of course, at the restaurants we visit."

In addition to offering locally grown products in participating restaurants, SUBWAY is working to raise awareness for the program and remind customers about the importance of choosing locally grown. In fact, more than 10,000 SUBWAY employees will wear "California Grown" pins with the distinct blue and gold license plate logo as part of the promotional effort.

This special "California Grown" partnership with SUBWAY(R) lasts through September 6, 2004.

(1) Commissioned by the BCMA, the study was conducted in July 2003 by Dennis H. Tootelian, Ph.D., professor of marketing and director of the Center for Small Business in the College of Business Administration at California State University, Sacramento.

About Subway

The Subway chain is famous for its made-to-order footlong and 6- inch submarine sandwiches. Sandwiches are served on Italian, wheat and a variety of seasoned breads that are baked fresh daily in each restaurant. Hot and cold subs are available with an assortment of meats, cheeses, vegetables and condiments, all added per customer request. Subway's "7 under 6" menu features seven sub sandwiches with 6 grams of fat or less. The chain's gourmet-inspired "Selects" line of sandwiches features exclusively prepared sauces, which can be used to complement any sandwich on the menu.

Subway Restaurants was founded in 1965 in Bridgeport, Conn. by then 17 year old Fred DeLuca, with a $1,000 loan from family friend, Dr. Peter Buck. Subway Restaurants is the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 21,000 locations in 75 countries. Subway has recently surpassed McDonald's in the number of restaurants open in the United States and Canada and has been named the number one franchise opportunity in all categories by Entrepreneur magazine in its Annual Franchise 500 ranking for 2003--for the record-breaking 11th time in 15 years!

For more information about Subway Restaurants see its Web site at www.subway.com.

Subway(R) is a registered trademark of Doctor's Associates Inc. (DAI).

About The Buy California Marketing Agreement

The Buy California Marketing Agreement is a joint effort of agricultural industry groups representing the products of California's farms, ranches, forests and fisheries. Working as an advisory board to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, BCMA brings together industry and government resources to increase the awareness, consumption and value of California agricultural products, helping the state's consumers enjoy the best of the California lifestyle.

The "California Grown" campaign is funded through public and private contributions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the following California agricultural organizations:

--California Apple Commission

--California Aquaculture Association

--California Asparagus Commission

--California Avocado Commission

--California Cherry Advisory Board

--California Cling Peach Board

--California Cut Flower Commission

--California Fig Advisory Board

--California Forest Products Commission

--California Garlic Producers Association

--California Kiwifruit Commission

--California Milk Advisory Board

--California Nectarine Administrative Committee

--California Olive Committee

--California Peach Commodity Committee

--California Pear Advisory Board

--California Plum Marketing Board

--California Poultry Federation

--California Raisin Marketing Board

--California Salmon Council

--California Sheep Commission

--California Strawberry Commission

--California Table Grape Commission

--California Tomato Commission

--California Walnut Commission

For more information, visit www.californiagrown.org