Mills Family Farms(R) Wholeaves(R) product line certified by American Heart Association

05/01/06 Mills Family Farms is excited to announce that the Wholeaves(R) Green Leaf, Red Leaf, Green Cascade Mix(R) and Romaine lettuce is now certified by the American Heart Association.

The American Heart Association certifies products that meet food criteria for saturated fat and cholesterol for healthy people over age 2. Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) certified products will proudly display the heart-check mark, the recognizable symbol grocery shoppers look for when making heart-healthy food choices.

Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) are washed, ready-to-use, individual lettuce leaves.   The retail packs are fresh, nutritious and offer the ultimate in convenience.  Top it, toss it or dress it up with Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R). Available in Green Leaf, Red Leaf, Romaine and Green Cascade Mix (R), Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) are perfect for topping a sandwich, dressing up a burger or tossing into a sensational salad. Wholeaves(R) are also ideal for gourmet wraps!  Whether enjoying alone or topping with nuts, fresh fruit and feta cheese, Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) new retail line offers fresh ideas and are a healthy addition to any meal.

Wholeaves(R) are premium lettuce leaves that are individually selected, separated from the core with a patented "no-cut" system, meticulously washed and carefully packed. Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) stand-alone in freshness and consistency and are available year-round.  Mills Family Farms(R) patented "no-cut" method seals in freshness (when handled properly the product can stay fresh up to 21 days!) and eliminates the use of preservatives.

Each leaf is gently hand-separated from the core, leaving its vital tissue naturally intact.  The patented method protects every leaf from dehydration and leaf shock that can occur with processing methods when lettuce is chopped or cut.  Each leaf is kept whole allowing the vegetable's natural quality, nutrients and delicious flavor to remain unchanged.

Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) are not only winners with restaurants, consumers, and professional chefs, they're also winners of the American Culinary Institute Best of Class award in the foodservice whole leaf lettuce category for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. In a blind taste test by a panel of professional chefs, Wholeaves(R) were judged to be "superior in appearance, flavor, taste, and overall impression."  Additionally, Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) received The American Culinary Federation nationally acclaimed Seal of Approval for 2005 and 2006.

Mills Family Farms(R), based in Salinas, California, is a privately owned, vertically integrated grower/shipper -- thus all aspects of growing, harvesting, processing, and shipping are tightly monitored against the highest standards. For almost half a century, they have been supplying the foodservice industry, retailers, wholesalers, and brokers nationwide with quality lettuce and a wide variety of Western vegetables.

At Mills Family Farms(R), we believe the perfect salad begins with the right foundation.  Remember, there are thousands of ways to create a salad, but only one way to start -- Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R).

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