D'Arrigo Bros., Grower of Andy Boy Fruits and Vegetables, Launches Innovative Employee Health Initiative.

Food & Health Editors

SALINAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2002

'Joy of a Healthy Life' Campaign Encourages Employees

to Improve their Diet and Fitness Habits

D'Arrigo Bros., leading grower and distributor of Andy Boy broccoli and other fresh fruits and vegetables, is launching an innovative employee health initiative to encourage healthier eating habits and improved exercise activities among company employees. D'Arrigo's 'Joy of a Healthy Life' educational campaign, launched this summer, provides employees with practical diet and lifestyle recommendations for leading longer, healthier lives. An accompanying employee incentive program lets D'Arrigo employees monitor their progress as they work towards achieving their health, diet, lifestyle and fitness goals. A key component of the campaign is a festive company-wide Andy Boy health fair being held in late August near D'Arrigo's West Coast headquarters in Salinas, CA.

D'Arrigo's six-month employee health campaign focuses on simple, practical steps that Andy Boy employees can take to enhance their exercise, lifestyle, cooking and eating habits. This initiative is in keeping with the principles of the 'Five a Day' campaign, which recommends that individuals eat five servings of fruit and vegetables each day.

"Our goal is to contribute to our employees' longevity and overall health by encouraging them to embrace healthy dietary and exercise habits. 'The Joy of a Healthy Life' campaign provides them with sound, solid information -- and an attractive incentive program -- to help them achieve their health and fitness goals," said Margaret D'Arrigo, Executive Vice president of Business Development for D'Arrigo Bros. "By eating fruits and vegetables, preparing healthier meals, reducing fat and sugar intake, and engaging in regular exercise, individuals can reduce their risk of developing cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. We want to be an active partner, helping our colleagues lower their cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduce their chances of developing life-threatening illnesses."

As part of this employee health campaign, D'Arrigo Bros. is posting informative, compelling flyers and posters throughout the company, distributing information packets, and conducting a 'Healthy Rewards Program.' This program enables D'Arrigo Bros. employees to track the progress of their efforts. A handy Healthy Rewards Card lets employees easily record and monitor their pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. Every health, diet improvement and exercise activity, (e.g., getting a complete physical, getting screened for diabetes, quitting smoking, cutting down on alcoholic beverages, fat and sugar, joining a health club or sports team, swimming, biking, running, walking, etc.), is recorded and acknowledged by the employee's team leader. Every employee who completes their entire Healthy Rewards Card receives top honors, and qualifies for a special drawing to win a trip for four to Disneyland (including 3-night hotel stay, park tickets and $250 in spending money).

"We know that by reducing fat and sugar intake, quitting smoking, exercising and eating five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, everyone can improve the quality of their lives," said Daneen Richards, executive director of the American Diabetes Association. "This Andy Boy employee health initiative is making a wonderful contribution to the community, by providing up-to-date health and fitness information to employees and their families, and rewarding them as they achieve their healthier lifestyle goals."

The August Andy Boy health fair in Salinas will features music, dancing, healthy cooking demonstrations and tastings, smart snack sampling, blood pressure checks, games, prizes, and healthy lifestyle education. All Andy Boy employees and their families are encouraged to attend.

About D'Arrigo Bros. Co.

D'Arrigo Bros. is a California-based grower and shipper of fresh fruits and vegetables with distribution companies on the East Coast (Boston, New York). Founded in 1927, D'Arrigo Bros., under the Andy Boy brand, grows and distributes premium broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, broccoli rabe, fennel, cactus pears, romaine hearts and more. The first company to grow and sell broccoli in interstate commerce, D'Arrigo Bros. were also the first to brand and advertise their vegetables. The D'Arrigo

Companies now cultivate more than 24,000 acres in crops in California and Arizona. The company employs over 1,500 people dedicated to supplying the finest premium produce.