NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (March 7, 2002) — Walnut Acres, America’s original organic food brand since 1946, is significantly expanding its product offering with the introduction of a line of 9 certified organic pasta sauces. The new pasta sauces join the rapidly expanding Walnut Acres family of certified organic soups, salsas and juices.

In August 2001, Acirca Inc., makers of Walnut Acres certified organic foods and beverages, acquired Millina’s Finest certified organic pastas sauces. After extensive consumer taste panel research, recipe improvement and the label redesign, the new Walnut Acres certified organic pasts sauces are now available.

“The addition of premium quality pasta sauces to the Walnut Acres family of certified organic foods and beverages significantly expands the company’s product offering and contributes to the efficiencies of scale that allow us to serve more of our customers’ needs better,” said Mark S. Rodriguez, President and CEO of Acirca. Americans are looking for ways to live more healthful lives and are turning to organic foods and beverages as a smart option. Organic food - produced without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides and processed without synthetic ingredients - is the fastest growing specialty foods category in the United States. With an average annual growth rate of 24% throughout the last decade, North American retail sales of organic food are estimated to grow from $8 billion in 2000 to nearly $20 billion in 2005. Within the organic packaged food category, organic pasta sauce category has experienced growth of over 20 percent in supermarkets and supernatural stores.

The new varieties of Walnut Acres certified organic pasta sauces, which contain more certified organic tomatoes than the previous recipes, are: Marinara with Herbs, Marinara Zinfandel, Tomato Basil, Sweet Pepper Onion, Zesty Tomato Basil, Garlic-Garlic, Low Salt Tomato Basil, Roasted Garlic and Tomato Mushroom.

Like other Walnut Acres products, the new pasta sauces carry a call-to-action to encourage purchasers to join Walnut Acres in the fight against hunger with Share Our Strength, one of the nation’s leading anti-hunger, anti-poverty organizations. The company has committed to donate more than $500,000 over 5 years to the fight against hunger.

Walnut Acres certified organic pasta sauces are being sold in supermarkets, natural supermarkets and independent health food stores nationwide and are available in recyclable and reusable, easy-pouring 25.5 oz glass carafes.

All Walnut Acres products meet or exceed the strict USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) standards for certified organic foods and beverages. Walnut Acres products never contain synthetic preservatives, artificial sweeteners, sulfites, extenders, stabilizers, MSG, artificial flavors or colorings.

Established in 1946, Walnut Acres is America’s original organic food brand and is owned by New Rochelle, N.Y.-based Acirca, Inc., makers of fine certified organic foods and beverages. The name Acirca is inspired by the phrase “a circle of life” and reflects the company’s commitment to the development of products that help consumers obtain better health and are good for the environment. Acirca is a privately held company owned collectively by company employees and independent investors. The company strives to bring convenience in packaged certified organic foods to health-conscious consumers wherever they shop.