Diamond of California Named Official Nut Supplier forthe U.S. Olympic Teams and the 2002 Olympic...

Business Editors/Food & Sports Writers

STOCKTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2000

Diamond of California, the world's largest processor of walnuts and America's leading marketer of culinary and inshell nuts, has been selected as an Official Supplier to the 2000, 2002,

Under the agreement signed with the Olympic Properties of the United States (OPUS), the joint marketing effort between the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), Diamond of California will provide its heart-healthy walnuts and full line of culinary nuts during the Olympic Winter Games of 2002 as well as through the U.S. Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo., Lake Placid, N.Y., and Chula Vista, Calif.

"Diamond of California's reputation for quality makes them a natural fit for the U.S. Olympic Family. Bringing their product to the table of U.S. Olympic Team athletes in training helps to round out the nutritional program offered at U.S. Training Centers as well as the 2002 Olympic Winter Games," said Mark Lewis, OPUS president and CEO.

In support of its involvement with U.S. Olympic Team athletes and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Diamond of California will also display the U.S. Olympic Team Official Supplier logo on all new packaging beginning in September.

"Diamond of California is pleased to have the opportunity to provide the world's top athletes competing in the most rigorous sporting competitions with a heart-healthy and nutritious supplement to their regular diets," said Diamond VP of Marketing Michael Friedman.

"Diamond's involvement with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Olympic movement is part of our long-term commitment to educating Americans about the health benefits of walnuts."

Diamond of California is the exclusive nut supplier to the USOC and becomes the 39th corporate participant for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and the 2000, 2002, and 2004 U.S. Olympic Teams.

About Diamond of California

Formed in 1912 by California walnut growers, Diamond of California has evolved into one of the state's largest agricultural cooperatives with 2,000 grower-members and 400 full-time employees. Headquartered in Stockton, Calif., Diamond adheres to exacting standards and utilizes innovative processing technology to produce a full product line of culinary nuts. The company operates the largest and most technologically advanced walnut processing and packing plant in the world, a 550,000 square-foot production facility in Stockton situated on 75 acres. Diamond also has four centrally located collection stations throughout California where walnuts are hulled, washed and dried. In addition to walnuts, Diamond produces a 12-item line of packaged ingredient nuts including everything from chopped hazelnuts to pine nuts and slivered almonds, in addition to several forms of walnuts.