Tom Lange Company - Distributor, Fruits & Vegetables

TOM LANGE COMPANY BEGINS DISTRIBUTION

OF DOLE WATERMELONS

The Tom Lange Company, Inc. and Dole Fresh Fruit Company, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company, Inc., have partnered to distribute watermelons. Under the agreement, The Tom Lange Company will be the licensee for DOLE Watermelons, responsible for the sourcing, marketing and distribution of melons.

In a statement released by the Tom Lange Company, President and CEO, Phil Gumpert, said, “ We are excited to put our sourcing, marketing, distribution and transportation capabilities together with a powerful brand name such as DOLE and a volume commodity like watermelons.”

DOLE Watermelon is considered a “Superfood for the Heart” under Dole’s Superfoods program because of its heart healthy nutrition profile. The program, which is the most visited link on Dole’s Web site (www.dole.com), promotes “all fruits and vegetables as good for you, but certain fruits and vegetables are Superfoods because they are super-rich in nutrients, which have proven, targeted health benefits.”

Jeff Moore, Vice President of Sales for Tom Lange’s Midwest Region office in St. Louis, Missouri, will direct the program. Mr. Moore commented that, “Dole’s Superfood program promotes watermelons as healthy and nutritious. By being able to market DOLE watermelons, we’re working together to provide consumers with a healthy product while expanding Dole’s product line.”

The melons will be shipped in a high graphic bin and carton with the DOLE logo on each side. In addition, the bin boasts the “Superfood for the Heart” icon on the end of each bin and carton. Each melon will be individually stickered with the Superfoods icon and PLU. The Tom Lange Company will ship DOLE Watermelons in seedless, seeded and personal melon varieties. Strategic shipping points of origin include Florida, Georgia, Texas, Indiana, Arizona, California and Mexico. The watermelons will be available year-round for retail, foodservice and contract programs.

The Tom Lange Company, Inc. was founded in 1960 and has produce and transportation offices located in major metropolitan areas.

Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2005 revenues of $5.9 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers. Dole markets a growing line of packaged foods and frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research.

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