Fresh Express Becomes Title Sponsor

For Nationwide Tour Event at TPC Stonebrae

2010 Event Has New Name: Fresh Express Classic At TPC Stonebrae

HAYWARD, Calif., Feb. 17, 2010 – Central Coast California-based Fresh Express has agreed to serve as the title sponsor of the East Bay Area’s only PGA TOUR-sanctioned event, the Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae, a Nationwide Tour event.

As previously announced, the tournament will be held April 12-18, 2010 at TPC Stonebrae, located atop the rugged East Bay hillside overlooking San Francisco Bay. The field of 144 plays 72 holes of stroke play, with all four rounds to be televised live by Golf Channel.

NFL legend Jerry Rice, newly named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will serve as tournament host and the Jerry Rice 127 Foundation has been named as the “primary receiver” of the charitable proceeds generated by the annual event. An accomplished golfer, Rice has also received a sponsor’s exemption to compete against the Nationwide Tour pros.

“We believe this is the beginning of a great partnership between the PGA TOUR, Fresh Express and TPC Stonebrae,” said Bill Calfee, President of the Nationwide Tour in announcing the agreement that extends through the 2011 season. “We have no doubt that Fresh Express will have a huge impact on the popularity of the event throughout the Bay Area.”

“Partnering with the PGA to sponsor the Fresh Express Classic fits perfectly with our focus on helping consumers enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Brian Kocher, president Chiquita Fresh North America. “It’s a great opportunity to reinforce the quality and freshness of Fresh Express salads and Chiquita snacks, as well as our leadership as two of the strongest brands in produce.  We are thrilled to have a champion like Jerry Rice be a part of our team at the Fresh Express Classic.”

With the invention and introduction of the Keep Crisp™ bag, Fresh Express was the creator of the retail packaged salad category and the first to make ready-to-eat salads available to consumers nationwide, now with more than 20 million consumers enjoying Fresh Express salads, spinach and greens every week.

"We welcome Fresh Express, as its participation will make a significant contribution to the many local need-based non-profits that benefit from our event," said Matt Fong, Principal Managing Director of Stonebrae LP. Stonebrae is assuming the role of Presenting Sponsor of the tournament.

"We also feel the Fresh Express healthy lifestyle mission fits perfectly with the Nationwide Tour platform,” added Jody Brothers, Tournament General Manager, “through exposure on the international television coverage, as well as through relationships with our players, our tournament host Jerry Rice and the many volunteers and fans who will be part of the tournament."

Rice, 46, is one of the greatest performers in Bay Area sports history. Formed in 2005, the Jerry Rice 127 Foundation is designed to support various children’s organizations. A champion of numerous organizations, Rice has become a national spokesman for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, relating his use and support of chiropractors.

Proceeds from the Fresh Express Classic also will benefit charities throughout the Bay Area, particularly those who participate in selling tickets through the Tickets Fore Charity program. The Fresh Express Classic and TPC Stonebrae are also part of the PGA TOUR’s Birdies for the Brave military outreach program.

For more information about the Stonebrae Classic, call (510) 728-7912, or visit www.FreshExpressClassic.com.

About The TPC Stonebrae

Etched into the rugged hillside high above San Francisco’s East Bay lays a remarkable golf oasis boasting an array of comfortable amenities and the exceptional service and privileges that have become synonymous with the PGA TOUR’s acclaimed TPC Network of premier clubs. Named by Travel + Leisure Golf “One of the Best New Golf Courses for 2007,” TPC San Francisco Bay was designed by world renowned Scottish golf course architect David McLay Kidd along Walpert Ridge, more than 1,500 feet above the bay. Plans are underway for the construction of an expansive Craftsman-style clubhouse that will serve as a focal point for dining, hospitality and relaxation. Current facilities include a casual grill, with both formal and casual dining planned for the new clubhouse. The PGA TOUR’s TPC Network of clubs is comprised of 28 premier private and resort golf properties, designed to host TOUR-sponsored tournaments. TPCs are known for outstanding conditioning and amenities, as well as a commitment to environmental excellence. TPC Stonebrae, 222 Country Club Drive, Hayward, CA 94542. Call (510) 728-7878.

About the Nationwide Tour

Founded (1990), owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, the Nationwide Tour identifies those players who are ready to compete and win on golf's biggest stage. As the official proving ground of the PGA TOUR, two out of three PGA TOUR members are Nationwide Tour alumni. Nationwide Tour alumni had won 262 PGA TOUR titles, including 13 majors and three PLAYERS Championships.  Twenty-five PGA TOUR cards will be at stake over the course of 28 events in 2010. Recognizing the Tour’s growing stature, Nationwide Insurance has renewed its umbrella sponsorship of the Nationwide Tour through 2012. The PGA TOUR, through the efforts of its three tours and their tournaments, sponsors, players and volunteers, supports over 2,000 local charities and has surpassed $1.5 billion in charitable giving. To learn more about the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour and to follow the season-long quest for a PGA TOUR card, visit PGATOUR.COM. 

About Nationwide

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

About Chiquita Fresh North America

Fresh Express Incorporated and Chiquita Fresh North America L.L.C. are subsidiaries of Chiquita Brands International, Inc., a leading international marketer and distributor of high-quality fresh and value-added food products from energy-rich bananas and other fruits to nutritious blends of convenient green salads. Chiquita markets its healthy, fresh products under the Chiquita® and Fresh Express® premium brands and other related trademarks. For more information, visit www.chiquitabrands.com. Fresh Express Incorporated, the Nation’s No.1 salad producer has been a leader in fresh foods for more than 80 years. Fresh Express is dedicated to providing consumers with healthy, convenient ready-to-eat spinach, salads, vegetables and fruits. For more information, visit www.freshexpress.com.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Ed Vyeda

Hunter Public Relations

(831) 375-1747

evyeda@hunter-pr.com

Kristen Hunter

Hunter Public Relations

(831) 375-1747

khunter@hunter-pr.com

Jeff Adams

Nationwide Tour

(904) 273-3397

jadams@pgatourhq.com