Press Release

Chefs Award Seal of Approval to Wholeaves®

St. Augustine, Fla., September 7, 2004—The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), recently awarded its Seal of Approval to a product line of Mills Family Farms, Salinas, Calif.

Mills Family Farms Wholeaves™ earned ACF’s Seal of Approval following extensive testing by a panel of ACF-certified chefs chaired by James Taylor, CEC, AAC, a chef-instructor at Columbus (Ohio) State Community College and vice president of ACF’s Northeastern Region. Testing criteria evaluated freshness, flavor, ease of use, versatility and adaptability of product, consistency of physical properties, application of product to service procedures, and inherent food safety.

ACF determined Wholeaves® are premium lettuce leaves that are individually selected, meticulously cleaned and carefully packed. Wholeaves® are available year-round, with consistency of quality in all seasons. A patented “no-cut” process seals in freshness and eliminates the use of preservatives. The Mills Family Farms Wholeaves™ line consists of Romaine, Romaine Hearts, Green Leaf, Red Leaf, Green Cascade Mix® and Celery.

Ready-to-use Wholeaves® require virtually no prep, cutting labor costs. Mills Family Farms addresses the foodservice industry’s space crisis by providing refrigerator-friendly 5-lb. and 10-lb. cartons and offering 100% usable product. Additionally, the company offers a stable pricing program, allowing for dependable planning and budgeting.

For almost half a century, Mills Family Farms-a vertically integrated grower and shipper-has supplied the foodservice industry, retailers, wholesalers and brokers with quality lettuces and a wide variety of Western vegetables. For more information about Mills Family Farms or its Wholeaves® line, visit www.millsfamilyfarms.com or call (831) 757-3061.

Launched in the 1940s, ACF’s Seal of Approval program validates the product claims of growers, manufacturers and suppliers that provide real-world solutions to culinary professionals. For information about ACF’s Seal of Approval program, visit www.acfchefs.org, e-mail bfrei@acfchefs.net, or call (800) 624-9458, ext. 115.

The American Culinary Federation, Inc., which observes its 75th anniversary in 2004, establishes and upholds the highest standards of cooking and enhances the culinary profession internationally through education, certification and a fraternal bond of respect and integrity.

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Note to editors: High-resolution digital dish-application images, as well the Mills Family Farms logo, are available.

Contact: Lisa Alessandro, APR
(904) 824-4468, ext. 103
lalessandro@acfchefs.net

• Chefs Award Seal of Approval to Wholeaves®