M&S Fine Foods, Inc. Opens State-of-the-Art Warehouse/Fulfillment Center in Hartford Area.

Business Editors

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 27, 2003

M&S Fine Foods, Inc. has opened a new 12,200 warehouse/distribution center in the Canton Commerce Park, Canton, Connecticut, to serve as the distribution center for its own perishable and non-perishable food products as well as to provide warehousing and fulfillment services to other processors and distributors of gourmet foods, it was announced today by Bernard H. LaLone, Jr., chairman.

M&S Fine Foods distributes gourmet food products nationally to individuals as well as to a number of other entities. Its products include smoked meats, fish and fowl; caviar; fresh and canned seafood; specialty vegetables, fruits, nuts and compotes; and prepared gourmet delicacies such as soups and cassoulet. A variety of customized gift selections are also offered. The warehouse is operated by M&S Fine Foods Distribution Center, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, and managed by Khoury Mubarek, vice president of operations. A packing and shipping staff is in place.

M&S Fine Foods Distribution Center, Inc. has received its first warehousing and fulfillment contract from Dundee Brandied Fruit Company, Dundee, Oregon, and will act as its East Coast distributor. More contracts are in discussion stages.

"The Canton Commerce Park is ideally situated for our fulfillment activities," LaLone said. "It is only 10 miles from Hartford's Bradley International Airport, only one-quarter mile off US Route 44, and near the intersection of Interstates 84 and 91. Moreover, the Hartford area is famous for its density in corporate offices, including large insurance companies and international firms among others. Khoury Mubarek has many years of experience in dealing with such firms and we are confident that our strong new presence will be well-received in the corporate community of Hartford and throughout New England."

The facility is jointly owned by the investor group headed by Casle Corporation, the developer, and principals of M&S Fine Foods, Inc. Its features include a 70-foot shipping and receiving dock, a walk-in 20'x40' freezer and a 20'x20' cooler, and 10,700 square feet of temperature and humidity controlled warehouse space, exclusive of offices. The facility replaces two outside resources previously used for fulfillment activities.

"The debut of this distribution center launches a new era for our company, both in terms of lower operating costs and more efficient operations, and in our ability to serve customers more expeditiously with a greater variety of products," LaLone said.

M&S Fine Foods Distribution Center, Inc. is located at 150 Commerce Drive, Canton Commerce Center, Canton, CT 06019; telephone [phone] or 800-372-1106 or fax [phone].

About M&S Fine Foods, Inc.

M&S Fine Foods, Inc. commenced business on January 1, 2003 having acquired the assets of McArthur's Smokehouse and Seyco Fine Food. M&S develops and markets its own product offerings, including customized gift selections incorporating products from both divisions. McArthur's Smokehouse began operations in Dutchess County, New York as a sausage-maker and it has operated continuously for more than 127 years. Seyco Fine Food originated in Milwaukee in 1934 and later moved its operations to California. It markets a variety of domestic and international products, each selected for its quality, uniqueness and aesthetic appeal. M&S is headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. For information or to request a catalog, call 800-382-8177, email [e-mail], or visit www.McArthursSmokehouse.com. (The Seyco site is being rebuilt and will be available soon.)