Fresh Quest Inc. Selects Port Manatee

PALMETTO, Fla.--(Business Wire)--
The Manatee County Port Authority approved a five-year contract today with Fresh
Quest Inc. earning nearly $1.5 million for Port Manatee and creating about 75
new jobs.

The company will import cantaloupe and honeydew melons to Port Manatee from
Puerto Barrios, Guatemala and Puerto Cortes, Honduras where it owns farms and
packing facilities. Fresh Quest ranks among the largest U.S. importers of
seasonal melons, from each November to May.

"Port Manatee is a good fit for our growth strategies," explained Fresh Quest
President Mario Cardenas. "We intend to maximize the port`s proximity to Central
America and our U.S. and Canadian customer base, to minimize expenses and
enhance delivery of a fresher, better product for the consumer."

The Canadian-based company plans 22 seasonal voyages to the port each year.
Exports bound for Central America will include used automobiles, farm equipment
and agricultural supplies.

"This occasion brings to a close a four-year courtship between Fresh Quest and
Port Manatee," said David L. McDonald, Port Manatee`s executive director. "It
puts people back to work with good-paying jobs, while providing the foundation
for new and expanded opportunities for more imports and exports to Central
America."

Liberty Terminals LLC will provide stevedoring services for Fresh Quest and
Customized Brokers Inc. will handle all aspects of the import process including
U.S. Customs clearance and compliance.

"Fresh Quest, Port Manatee and Liberty Terminals have worked hard to deliver
this piece of business to Tampa Bay," said Richard Tager, vice president of
Liberty Terminals. "Our new relationship with Fresh Quest reinforces Liberty`s
leadership as a perishables cargo specialist."

Port Manatee operates more refrigerated warehouse capacity than any other U.S.
Gulf of Mexico port and is located at the entrance to Tampa Bay. It ranks among
Florida`s largest and fastest growing deepwater seaports.

Port Manatee
Steve Tyndal, Senior Director
Jill VanderPol, Communications Manager
Office 941-722-6621
www.portmanatee.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009