Costco Wholesale Consumers to Quench Thirst with ICE Beverages from TalkingRain Beverage Company and Contribute to United Way in Sixth Annual Cause-Related Promotion.

PRESTON, Wash. -- When consumers buy low calorie/low carbohydrate ICE beverages Feb. - Apr. 2005, United Way offices will receive $.25 per case

Officials of TalkingRain Beverage Company and Costco Wholesale are teaming up for the sixth year with a cause related promotion to raise money for participating United Ways across the United States and Canada. For every case of Sparkling ICE Spring Water with 3% Juice and ICE Botanicals purchased February through April of 2005 at 381 participating Costco Wholesale Stores across the United States and Canada, TalkingRain will donate $.25 per case to the United Way offices in closest proximity to the Costco Warehouse Store where the sale takes place.

Since 1999, this event has generated $254,084.50 for United Way offices across the nation. "With the full participation of all Costco Wholesale stores this year, we anticipate adding $100,000 to the total this year," TalkingRain Beverage Company Vice President of Marketing Nina Morrison said.

Sparkling ICE Spring Water with 3% Juice comes in three flavors -- Black Raspberry, Orange Mango, and Pink Grapefruit. These are lightly carbonated beverages comprised of spring water with juice and sweetened with Splenda(R) with no sodium or caffeine. Splenda(R) is a no-calorie sweetener made from real sugar, and it is the brand name for Sucralose. Sparkling ICE offers 100% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamins C and E and delivers only three 3 calories and one gram of carbohydrate per eight ounce serving.

ICE Botanicals combine fruit flavors with vitamin C and herbal extracts. These beverages are also sweetened with Splenda(R), delivering zero calories, zero carbohydrates, and offering 100% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C.

"Consumers everywhere look to the new year as a good time to renew their commitments to healthy living and weight management. The good news about Sparkling ICE with Juice and ICE Botanicals is that consumers can delight in the flavor variety and great taste knowing that each serving is remarkably low in calories and carbohydrates," Morrison said.

"In letters, emails, and calls to our offices, consumers report that Sparkling ICE and ICE Botanicals help them overcome their addictions to sugar-laden soft drinks. Diabetics indicate that the line helps them manage their special dietary requirements with beverages that taste great. Others say the product helps them manage or lose weight. We know we have a winning product line that will contribute to a strong cause related effort for the United Way this year," Morrison said.

"United Way of King County is so successful because of the innovative generosity of great companies like TalkingRain and Costco Wholesale," said United Way of King County President Jon Fine. "We lead the nation in identifying issues, investing in solutions and improving lives because of companies that support their communities. TalkingRain and Costco's partnership in philanthropy has made the Community Safety Net even stronger."

Costco Wholesale, based in Issaquah, is an international consumer membership wholesaler offering a variety of products and services at hundreds of locations throughout the world.

Founded in 1987, TalkingRain Beverage Company is the Pacific Northwest's number one bottled water company. Its products include TalkingRain Mountain Spring Water, Sparkling ICE with 3% Juice, ICE Botanicals and Teas, Sparkling Water, and oxygenated water called Airwater. The company employs approximately 109 people at its Preston, WA bottling plant. Clients include all regional grocery chains and millions of pure water drinkers in the Pacific Northwest. Recognized by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce in 2003 with the Eastside Business Awards Community Service Award, TalkingRain is a community-oriented company that donates product to over 400 events each year. Visit www.talkingrain.com to learn more.