Diamond of California Hits a Home Run in New Sponsorship Deal With the San Francisco Giants.

Business/Sports Editors & Food Writers

STOCKTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2002

Leading Producer of Walnuts to Provide Nut Roasting Carts,

Pair with Barry Bonds Home Run Counter and More!

Get your Walnuts! There is a new nut in town at San Francisco's Pacific Bell Park. Diamond of California, the world leader in culinary and inshell nuts, today announced that it has entered into a three-year sponsorship agreement with the San Francisco Giants(R).

According to the deal, Diamond-branded signage will become an extension of the Barry Bonds Lifetime Home Run Counter. Beginning April 29th, fans will see Diamond of California's bright red logo and "Go `wal'nuts!" tagline each time hometown hero Bonds knocks one out of the park.

Diamond will also deliver delicious roasted nuts to the 40,000+ fans that attend each Giants home game; the company will be featuring nut-roasting carts in various locations throughout the park. As of May 13, the inviting aroma of hot roasted nuts will greet baseball fans entering the park when they come up the escalator in front of home plate. These are the same nut roasting carts that attracted thousands of fans at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake - even the athletes!

"Diamond is always looking for partnerships that make sense. Based on the enthusiastic reaction to our nut roasting carts at the Olympics this year, we feel this endeavor with the Giants will be a fruitful one," said Michael Mendes, CEO, Diamond of California. "Diamond of California is a product that makes sense for Pacific Bell Park. Baseball fans who see our signage throughout the park will be able to walk up to the concession stand and sample our walnuts right then and there. It's a natural fit for the company, and for the consumer looking for a hot, fresh, nutritious snack in the stadium."

"The Giants organization is pleased that Diamond of California has selected Pacific Bell Park as a venue to promote its brand and various new products," said Mario Alioto, Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing, San Francisco Giants. "There is no doubt that the aroma of roasting nuts will add to an already wonderful atmosphere at Pacific Bell Park."

In addition to the signage and nut roasting carts, the partnership also entitles Diamond to place stickers on the 33,900 cup holders throughout the ballpark. Every time baseball fans reach for their drink, they'll be reminded of Diamond of California's flagship one-pound bag of shelled walnuts, and its new line of Glazed Nuts, perfect for snacking, cooking or baking.

Finally, Diamond will host a "Diamond Day" later in the season, which will include a consumer contest for a chance to throw the first pitch at a Giants home game.

One in every two walnuts sold in the U.S. is a Diamond of California walnut.

For more information on Diamond of California's products, visit its newly re-launched website at www.diamondnuts.com.

About Diamond of California

Formed in 1912 by a group of California walnut farmers, Diamond of California has evolved into one of the state's largest grower cooperatives with 2,000 grower-members and 400 full-time employees. Headquartered in Stockton, California, Diamond adheres to exacting standards and utilizes innovative processing technology to produce a full product line of culinary nuts. The company operates the largest and most technologically advanced walnut processing and packing plant in the world, a 550,000 square-foot production facility in Stockton, situated on 75 acres. Diamond also has four centrally located collecting stations throughout California where walnuts are hulled, washed and dried. In addition to walnuts, Diamond markets an 18-item line of packaged ingredient nuts ranging from chopped hazelnuts to pine nuts, macadamia nuts and slivered almonds, in addition to many forms of walnuts.

About the San Francisco Giants & Pacific Bell Park

Major league baseball came to San Francisco back in 1958 with the arrival of the Giants from New York. Showcasing such legendary names as John McGraw, Willie Mays and Willie McCovey throughout their rich history, the Giants boast the winningest record ever among National League teams -- second only to the New York Yankees in all of baseball. The New York-San Francisco franchise has produced more members of the Baseball Hall of Fame than any other team in the Major Leagues. A new era of Giants baseball began in 1992, when a group of civic-minded San Franciscans headed by Peter A. Magowan purchased the 118-year-old Major League franchise. Since then, the San Francisco Giants have been committed to standing for innovation, professionalism, and excellence on and off the field. The Giants are dedicated to serving their customers, providing a high quality entertainment experience, and enhancing the Giants value as a community asset. Pacific Bell Park is a shining testimonial of the Giants commitment to give their fans the best team and the best ballpark in the 21st Century.

Located in San Francisco's China Basin area, Pacific Bell Park is the first privately-financed ballpark to be built in more than 30 years. The 41,456-seat facility combines the traditional style and old-time feel of older ballparks with all the modern amenities of new facilities. The park features the shortest right field in the National League (309 feet), breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay and the downtown skyline from inside the ballpark, the "knot holes" in the right field wall that allow fans standing outside, along the port walk, the ability to look inside and watch the game for free and many other unique amenities.