East Coast Growers and Packers Leads Tomato Industry as First Florida Grower to Raise Workers` Wages

MULBERRY, Fla.--(Business Wire)--
Last week, East Coast Growers and Packers, one of Florida`s largest tomato
growers, confirmed that it has agreed to work with the Coalition of Immokalee
Workers (CIW) and implement one penny-per-pound wage increases for workers. East
Coast workers raise and ship most of the fresh tomatoes Americans eat during the
cold months through top name brands including King`s Choice, Red Rose, Ruskin
Cream and Skipjack.

"East Coast Growers and Packers is proud to lead Florida`s tomato industry with
this first-of-its-kind agreement that helps our customers deliver on their
promise and puts the money into the people`s hands," said Vice President and
Sales Manager Batista Madonia, Jr.

According to Madonia, Jr., this agreement was a commitment to social
responsibility - a commitment to East Coast employees and East Coast customers,
who represent the Nation`s top restaurants, many of whom had already reached an
agreement with CIW, such as McDonald`s.

"Take for example a customer like McDonald`s USA, with their size and scope,
making this kind of commitment. This was the right decision for us. We`ve now
provided a mechanism for the money to get into the hands of the workers who
harvest the company`s tomatoes, and greatly improve the quality of their lives,"
Madonia, Jr. said.

For more than 50 years, East Coast`s corporate philosophy has focused on
integrity and dedication to bringing customers premium products grown in an
environment that is safe and secure. This agreement is a demonstration of East
Coast`s unwavering commitment to its workers and customers.

"East Coast Growers and Packers will always strive to find a solution, even when
the answer falls outside of the industry norm," Madonia, Jr. said.

Founded in 1956 by Evelyn and Batista Madonia Sr., East Coast Growers and
Packers is committed to bringing our customers premium products that are healthy
and delicious. Serving as one of Florida`s top tomato growers, the family-owned
company has been based in Central Florida for the last 30 years, where it
operates more than 7,000 acres of tomatoes. Rich in color and great in taste,
out tomatoes are grown in an environment that is safe and secure to ensure
customers receive the best possible product grown in the United States.For more
information, visit us online at KingsChoice.com.

For East Coast Growers and Packers
Consensus PR
Jessi Blakley, APR, 407-608-5905 (office) or 407-432-3673 (cell)
jessi@onmessage.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009