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MF Brands Launches Cinnabon Line of Roasted Nuts

Cinnabon’s signature Makara® Cinnamon is at the heart of the new snack food line being introduced at the Winter Fancy Food Show

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (January 18, 2010)– Mellace Family Brands, a snack food innovator known for a diverse product line that includes tree nuts, peanuts, snack mixes, and enrobed chocolate items, today unveiled its Cinnabon® line of roasted nuts at the NASFT Winter Fancy Food Show at Moscone Center in San Francisco. This new, innovative snack food line combines Mama Mellace’s delicious kettle roasted nuts with Cinnabon’s unmistakable Makara® Cinnamon to create a sweet and decadent treat.

The initial launch includes four flavors: Cinnabon Cinnamon Almonds, Cinnabon Cinnamon Cashews, Cinnabon Cinnamon Pecans, and Cinnabon Cinnamon Mixed Nuts, all available in both a film pouch (3-4oz) and stand-up pouch (7 – 10 oz).

Mama Cares Foundation Fights to Have Restrictions Removed on Production of Life-saving Food Aid

The world’s most vulnerable citizens are the ones who are suffering

CARLSBAD, Calif. (January 6, 2010)– Mama Cares Foundation, a non-profit foundation focused on eliminating severe acute malnutrition, has announced that it has joined forces with Breedlove Foods Inc., a non-profit humanitarian aid organization, to remove restrictions on the production and distribution of ready-to-use foods critical to addressing the needs of the hungry worldwide.

The two humanitarian organizations have filed a declaratory judgment action against Nutriset, SAF and IRD (both French firms) in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. That action seeks a court declaration that the Mama Cares and Breedlove products do not infringe any valid and enforceable claim of Nutriset’s and IRD’s U.S. Patent No. 6,346,284.

“There should be absolutely no restrictions on the development and production of life-saving food aid,” said Mike Mellace, executive director, Mama Cares Foundation. “These Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) are only available in limited supply, but could be the difference between life and death for so many if we can increase their production. We believe the patent held by Nutriset and IRD is invalid and unenforceable. And more importantly, puts up roadblocks to helping some of our most vulnerable global citizens.”

Every six seconds, a child dies because he/she did not have access to essential nutrients. According to the World Health Organization, hunger is the gravest single threat to the world’s public health with about one billion people regularly suffering from hunger, most women and children. And malnutrition is the underlying cause of death for between three and five million children under five every year.

Mama Cares and Breedlove are both dedicated to addressing the world hunger problem by providing ready-to-eat, superior nutrition, and highly palatable food aid for general population uses, for moderately malnourished children, for people living with HIV/AIDS, and for pregnant and lactating women. Mama Cares and Breedlove both have the desire, the expertise, and currently available materials to produce ready-to-eat foods that would help to alleviate the world hunger problem.

About The Mama Cares Foundation
Mama Cares, A 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, has provided assistance to many individuals, families and organizations in need. It has recently focused its efforts on eliminating severe acute malnutrition which is the underlying cause of death of millions of children around the world every year. Donations from individuals and other organizations to fund its mission are gratefully accepted. The Mama Cares Foundation website is currently being renovated, please check back often as we add updates and more information at www.mamacares.org

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MF Brands Launches Program to Offset Its Environmental Impact

Company makes a commitment to support the generation of clean energy and carbon offsets

CARLSBAD, Calif. (December 15, 2009)-- Mellace Family Brands, a snack food innovator known for a diverse product line that includes tree nuts, peanuts, snack mixes, and enrobed chocolate items, today announced that it is working with Renewable Choice to reduce its environmental footprint by supporting carbon reduction projects. Renewable Choice works with carbon reductions that are quantifiable and verifiable. All carbon offsets are verified by third-party companies.

“We value the environment and believe that taking steps to reduce our environmental footprint is good for business and the earth,” said Mike Mellace, chief executive officer, Mellace Family Brands. “Our purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs) and carbon offsets has a collective impact that is similar to planting 3,040 trees or not driving 753,862 miles each year.”

Mellace Family Brands is purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset 100% of the electricity it uses. RECs are produced by wind farms, biomass facilities and other renewable energy projects that allow companies and consumers to offset their electricity use with clean and renewable energy. By purchasing renewable energy credits, the company is guaranteed that part of the electricity it consumes is replaced on the national power grid with clean power.

Mellace Family Brands is also offsetting the emissions that are produced by heating its buildings with natural gas. By offsetting its carbon emissions and electricity that is produced by fossil fuels, the company is reducing its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and working toward being a more sustainable company.

About Mellace Family Brands
Mellace Family Brands is a snack food innovator that produces the highest quality and most desirable products using unique processes and recipes. The company's 42,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located in Carlsbad, California, manufactures a diverse product line that includes kosher tree nuts, peanuts, snack mixes, and enrobed or panned chocolate items. These products have propelled the company's growth, placing it on the Inc. 5000 list and earning its founder Entrepreneur of the Year award recognitions from both the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and Ernst & Young (as finalist for San Diego) in 2007. Since it's founding in 2001, Mellace Family Brands has made social responsibility a top priority. Through the Mama Cares Foundation, the company has provided assistance to many individuals, families and organizations in need. Please visit www.mellacefamilybrands.com and www.mamacares.org for more information.

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Mellace Family Brands Secures Licensing Agreement with Cinnabon®

Mama Mellace's kettle roasted nuts will be combined with Cinnabon's signature Makara® Cinnamon

CARLSBAD, Calif. (October 19, 2009)-- Mellace Family Brands, a snack food innovator known for a diverse product line that includes tree nuts, peanuts, snack mixes, and enrobed chocolate items, today announced IMC Licensing, the nation's leading full-service licensing agency specializing in consumer product brands, has secured a license agreement for Mellace Family Brands with Cinnabon®, the market leader among cinnamon roll bakeries. The inaugural line of products will combine Mama Mellace's kettle roasted nuts with Cinnabon's signature Makara® Cinnamon to create a variety of new snack offerings.

According to Todd Donaldson, IMC Licensing Vice President of Sales, "We were delighted to bring together Mellace Family Brands and Cinnabon to launch this line of innovative and delicious snack items perfect for a quick break. These new products leverage the homemade taste and crunch of Mellace products with the well-loved taste of Cinnabon Makara Cinnamon to create great new indulgent snacks for people on the go."

Cara Becker, Director of Brand Licensing for Focus Brands Inc., added, "Cinnabon is delighted to partner with Mellace Family Brands on this delicious new product. The quality of the nuts and the unmistakable Cinnabon cinnamon flavor are sure to wow consumers and make a great addition to our licensed product mix."

All products will be kettle-roasted in water and will contain no oil or preservatives. The new line of products is expected to be available at retail in early 2010.

About IMC Licensing
IMC Licensing leads the industry with its focused approach to brand-building through licensing. They help brand owners and manufacturers turn the world's best consumer product brands into great new consumer products. IMC Licensing has worked with companies like SC Johnson, Chiquita, Duncan Hines, TABASCO, Valvoline, General Mills and Borghese. For more information, please visit www.imclicensing.com .

About Cinnabon®
Maker of the world's most famous cinnamon rolls, Cinnabon Inc.® (Cinnabon) serves fresh, aromatic, oven-hot cinnamon rolls, as well as a variety of other baked goods and specialty beverages. Cinnabon currently operates more than 750 franchised locations worldwide, primarily in high traffic venues such as shopping malls, airports, train stations, travel plazas, entertainment venues, academic institutions, and military bases. For more information, please visit www.cinnabon.com .

About Mellace Family Brands
Mellace Family Brands is a snack food innovator that produces the highest quality and most desirable products using unique processes and recipes. The company's 42,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located in Carlsbad, California, manufactures a diverse product line that includes kosher tree nuts, peanuts, snack mixes, and enrobed or panned chocolate items. These products have propelled the company's growth, placing it on the Inc. 5000 list and earning its founder Entrepreneur of the Year award recognitions from both the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and Ernst & Young (as finalist for San Diego) in 2007. Since it's founding in 2001, Mellace Family Brands has made social responsibility a top priority. Through the Mama Cares Foundation, the company has provided assistance to many individuals, families and organizations in need. Please visit www.mellacefamilybrands.com and www.mamacares.org for more information.

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Mellace Family Brands' Snacktrition Line Wins Multiple Natural Products, Health & Fitness GearAwards™

Fruit & Nut Mix, Sea Salt Almonds and Sea Salt Cashews earn national recognition

CARLSBAD, Calif. (October 8, 2009)– Mellace Family Brands, a snack food innovator known for a diverse product line that includes tree nuts, peanuts, snack mixes, and enrobed chocolate items, today announced its Snacktrition line has been recognized with multiple 2009 GearAwards™ by ShapeYou.com, an innovative health and fitness website.

Snacktrition Calcium and Fiber Fruit & Nut Mix earned a Seal of Excellence. And the Calcium Sea Salt Almonds and Fiber Sea Salt Cashews earned Top Gear of the Year honors. Each year, ShapeYou.com selects the top products in a variety of natural products, health and fitness categories and provides them with added visibility in its wholesale directory. ShapeYou.com's judges are industry professionals from the world of trainers, nutritionists, health care practitioners, health food storeowners and more.

"We have a passion for making treats that are both tasty and healthy," said Mike Mellace, chief executive officer, Mellace Family Brands. "Snacktrition products are health-baked through a simple oven-roasting process developed to provide less fat and a more natural and flavorful crunch compared to traditional oil-roasted varieties. In addition, we sprinkle our almonds and cashews with the nutrients your body needs like fiber and calcium, making it easier to incorporate them into your daily diet. We believe you can really taste the difference in our products, and this industry acknowledgement demonstrates how we have successfully set ourselves apart."

The huge selection of natural and organic products out in the marketplace gave ShapeYou.com the idea to create and run the GearAwards. "We want people to easily find the best of the best that's out there," a company spokesperson said. "And if it has a GearAward seal on it, that just makes it simpler to find a great product - because we've done the footwork already."

About ShapeYou.com
ShapeYou.com (www.ShapeYou.com) is the creation of fitness and nutrition guru Tony Hale, and provides a wealth of information, articles and resources for consumers, retailers, and manufacturers in the natural & organic industry. This year, ShapeYou.com also launched its Sports, Health & Fitness Wholesale Trade Directory where wholesale trade buyers for health food stores, sporting goods stores and many other retail outlets can find all the wholesale products they’re looking for in one location.

About Mellace Family Brands
Mellace Family Brands is a snack food innovator that produces the highest quality and most desirable products using unique processes and recipes. The company's 42,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located in Carlsbad, California, manufactures a diverse product line that includes kosher tree nuts, peanuts, snack mixes, and enrobed or panned chocolate items. These products have propelled the company's growth, placing it on the Inc. 5000 list and earning its founder Entrepreneur of the Year award recognitions from both the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and Ernst & Young (as finalist for San Diego) in 2007. Since it's founding in 2001, Mellace Family Brands has made social responsibility a top priority. Through the Mama Cares Foundation, the company has provided assistance to many individuals, families and organizations in need. Please visit www.mellacefamilybrands.com and www.mamacares.org for more information.

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Mellace Family Brands Makes Impressive Showing on the Inc. 5000

Company's Ranks No. 2,711 Among the Fastest Growing Companies

CARLSBAD, Calif. (September 29, 2009)– Mellace Family Brands, a snack food innovator known for a diverse product line that includes tree nuts, peanuts, snack mixes, and enrobed chocolate items, today announced it was ranked 2,711 on Inc. magazine's third annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America's independent-minded entrepreneurs.

Mellace Family Brands was also ranked 66th in the food and beverage sector. "A growth rate of more than 100% between 2005 and 2008 is what landed us on the list," said Mike Mellace, chief executive officer, Mellace Family Brands. "We believe our continued commitment to innovation, quality, and building fair and honest relationships will keep us on the list for 2010 and beyond."

"Savvy trend spotters and those who invest in private companies know that the Inc. 5000 is the best place to find out about young companies that are achieving success through a wide variety of unprecedented business models, as well as older private companies that are still expanding at an impressive rate," said Inc. 5000 project manager Jim Melloan. "That's why our list is so eagerly anticipated every year."

The 2009 Inc. 5000, unveiled today on Inc.com, serves as a unique report card on the U.S. economy. Despite the ongoing recession, aggregate revenue among the companies on the list actually increased to $214 billion, up $29 billion from last year, with a median three-year growth rate of 126 percent. The Inc. 5000 are responsible for creating more than 1 million jobs since their founding, making the list perhaps the best example of the impact private, fast-growing companies can have on the economy. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found on Inc.com.

About Mellace Family Brands
Mellace Family Brands is a snack food innovator that produces the highest quality and most desirable products using unique processes and recipes. The company's 42,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located in Carlsbad, California, manufactures a diverse product line that includes kosher tree nuts, peanuts, snack mixes, and enrobed or panned chocolate items. These products have propelled the company's growth, placing it on the Inc. 5000 list and earning its founder Entrepreneur of the Year award recognitions from both the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and Ernst & Young (as finalist for San Diego) in 2007. Since it's founding in 2001, Mellace Family Brands has made social responsibility a top priority. Through the Mama Cares Foundation, the company has provided assistance to many individuals, families and organizations in need. Please visit www.mellacefamilybrands.com and www.mamacares.org for more information.

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Delight in food and beverages from: Stone Brewing Co., Mellace Family Brands, Jer’s Handmade Chocolates, Carlsbad Gourmet, Don Jose Lopez Portillo Tequila, and many more!

PLUS! Meet special guest DEVIN ALEXANDER, celebrity chef and author of The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook.

RSVP by Sept. 10, 2009 to http://savorawish2009.eventbrite.com/ or savorawish@gmail.com

Tickets are $50 per person at the door!

Mike Mellace was recently interviewed about our Mama Mellace's Old World Treats brand by San Diego Fox6 News.

From San Diego 6 The CW

Inc. Magazine recently ranked Mama Mellace’s Old World Treats No. 1,678 on its first-ever Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. The Inc. 5,000, an extension of Inc. magazine’s annual Inc. 500 list, catches many businesses that are too big to grow at the pace required to make the Inc. 500, as well as a host of smaller firms. Taken as a whole, these companies represent the backbone of the U.S. economy.

Within the Inc. 5000 list, Mama Mellace’s Old World Treats was also honored as No. 31 in the Top Companies in San Diego and No. 36 in the Top Companies in Food & Beverage. Click here to visit our listing.

Thanks to all of our customers, investors, vendors and employees for helping us with the latest in Mama Mellace’s many achievements.