Ballantine Produce Co., Inc. and P-R Farms, Inc. Join Forces

CLOVIS, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Ballantine Produce Company, Inc. and P-R Farms, Inc. are pleased
to announce a strategic arrangement whereby, beginning with the
current growing season, Ballantine will manage the farming and be
responsible for the packing and marketing of P-R Farms' stone fruit.

The implementation of this plan allows P-R Farms, under the
management of Patrick V. Ricchiuti and son, Vincent Ricchiuti, to
strengthen its position as a leading producer of almonds. This
agreement will also enable expansion of Ballantine's marketing
programs, while maintaining services for P-R Farms' stone fruit
customer base both domestically and internationally.

"This business opportunity will enhance our ability to focus on
the advancement of our almond growing, hulling, shelling and packing
operation," said Patrick V. Ricchiuti, President of P-R Farms. "In
addition, we will continue to increase crop diversification favorable
to market demands while furthering our family's involvement in land
development."

"P-R Farms has a long established farming methodology that ties
the production to the needs of specific niche markets, with particular
focus on specialty varieties and key export markets that require very
specific products, all adding to their strength," said Jerry DiBuduo
of Ballantine. "We expect to capitalize on and marry this with our
pre-existing supplies and increased focus in these niche areas."

David Albertson, Principal of Ballantine, adds, "We are proud to
be able to provide the stewardship to preserve and grow the value of
the significant tree fruit farming tradition of the Ricchiuti Family."

California-based Ballantine Produce is a leading
grower/packer/shipper/marketer of quality tree fruit, table grapes and
other premium seasonal fruit items.

P-R Farms, a fourth generation family business, is a
grower/packer/shipper/marketer of premium California grown almonds,
citrus, apples, olives, grapes, and other quality specialty crops and
products.

For more information, please visit www.ballantineproduce.com or
www.prfarms.com.

P-R Farms, Inc.
Patrick V. Ricchiuti, 559-299-0201
Cell Phone: 559-903-0000
pat@prfarms.com
or
Ballantine Produce Co., Inc.
Jerry DiBuduo, 559-875-2583
Cell Phone: 559-285-7754
jdibuduo@ballantineproduce.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008