Fantastic Foods Re-branding Resonates with a New Generation Whose Tastes Covet Healthy, Convenient, Meatless Global Choices

New “World Foods” Nomenclature Feeds into Growing Consumer Appetite for Authentic Ethnic Cuisine that Fits into Today’s Busy Lifestyles

March 24, 2006 (NAPA, CA) — As nutrition-savvy consumers increasingly gravitate to convenient, great-tasting, all-natural, meatless ethnic foods, forerunners of the organic and natural trend are thoughtfully updating their brands to stay current with this rapidly changing marketplace. Fantastic Foods has once again risen to the challenge, re-naming the brand to “Fantastic World Foods” to more closely reflect growing consumer demand for healthy meatless foods that also satisfy individual appetites curious to experience foods and flavors from around the world.

Fantastic World Foods, the 30-year old pioneer and mainstay of the all-natural and organic space, is re-launching its brand of vegetarian entrees, side dishes, simmer soups, and soup cups, and is introducing a new line of 16 chef-created soup cups in order to better resonate with the core segment of the American population looking for healthy, convenient global foods. With 40 percent of teens loosely identifying themselves as vegetarian, and about the same core percentage of the total population interested in or buying vegetarian products, statistics prove that a growing number of consumers of all ages are becoming “flexitarian” – regularly integrating meatless food options into a healthy daily diet.

Based on the theme of “A Never-ending Discovery,” the Fantastic World Foods package re-design and soup launch is being introduced at Natural Products Expo West, March 24-26, and sports the new “World Foods” nomenclature as its brand identity. Fantastic World Foods is known as the company that created the soup cup and authentic Asian noodle cup categories and gained consumer allegiance in the 70s and 80s for its instant mixes for hummus, tabouli, black beans and falafel. The company is building on this foundation with ethnically inspired chef-developed flavors. Each re-designed package includes destination photography that helps consumers more clearly identify with the exotic locations where each recipe originates. The packaging also includes a travel story that brings these locations and travel experiences to life.

“Historically, creating all-natural, great tasting foods has been at the heart and soul of our brand,” said Homegrown Naturals CEO John Foraker. “We’re excited to enhance our product line to deliver even more dynamic ingredients and ethnically infused flavors, wrapped in packaging that creates excitement and inclusion. This new combination of great-tasting recipes and eye-catching packaging speaks to today’s consumers who lead busy lives and are looking for innovative new products to integrate into their diets.”

According to Mintel, the vegetarian consumer market doubled to $3 billion over the past four years showcasing the movement that consumers are making to integrate less meat into their diet.

Fantastic World Food’s new line of 16 soup cups is a clear sign of things to come, in a category that the company virtually created, but which now has become crowded with a variety of competitors. Extremely popular as an office lunch, after-school mini-meal, or healthy late-night bite, the new line of microwavable soup cups demonstrate Fantastic World Food’s resolve to remain a leader in the category. All-natural and vegetarian, the line provides a simple sophistication through ingredients. For example, the new Classic French Onion soup features croutons covered in Emmental cheese; the Vegetarian Chicken Noodle smartly includes tagliatelli noodles and eye-catching pieces of carrots; and the Three Onion Noodle is an Asian-Californian fusion of shallots, leeks, and Parmesan cheese. Anything but a “food tech” creation, each new soup was first developed by chefs with an eye towards great taste. The company then painstakingly converted recipes into a convenient, instant format.

Fantastic Food’s New Soup Line

The new soup line includes the following varieties coupled with the destination that inspired their individual recipes:

- Creamy Potato Leek (Ireland) - Split Pea (Holland)

- Classic French Onion (Paris) - Tuscan Tomato and Shells (Tuscany)

- Southwest Tortilla Bean (Southwest) - Mamma’s Minestrone (Italy)

- Summer Vegetable Rice (Gardens) - Vegetarian Chicken Noodle (New England)

- Buckaroo Bean Chili (Texas) - Great Lakes Cheddar Broccoli (Wisconsin)

- Baja Black Bean (Mexico) -Spicy Thai (Thailand)

- Hot and Sour (China) - Green Onion Miso with Tofu (Japan)

- Three Onion Noodle (San Francisco) - Sesame Miso (Japan)

Every Fantastic World Foods package includes a checklist of Fantastic Assurances showcasing that each product is all natural or organic. In addition, the checklist includes detailed information about whether specific products are vegan, kosher, gluten or yeast free, low in fat or a good source of fiber, iron or other specific vitamins.

These soups are available at a suggested retail price of $2.19. Fantastic World Foods products are available nationwide in natural foods and grocery stores. For a list of retailers or to purchase products online, visit www.fantasticfoods.com

The bar has once again been set high by one of the originators of the natural and organic food movement. Purchased by Homegrown Naturals in 2000, Fantastic World Foods is one of the nation’s leading natural food companies, offering more than 40 delicious and innovative all-natural vegetarian products.

CONTACT: Trish Scorpio at 651/228-9141 for more information, interviews, samples or photography .