John B. Sanfilippo & Son Launches First Student Earth Day Contest as Part of Companywide ‘Green’ Program

Helping to preserve the Earth’s resources is an important issue to John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (NASDAQ: JBSS), www.jbssinc.com, a leading processor, packager, marketer and distributor of shelled and in-shell nuts and nut-based snacks. The company is dedicated to inspiring awareness and appreciation for the environment, and is doing its part to help reduce their own carbon footprint. One recent contribution is the upcoming launch of the company’s new Earth-friendly packaging for its Fisher Chef’s Naturals line of Baking Nuts, www.fishernuts.com. Another important contribution is the company-wide celebration of Earth Day on April 22.

For this important day, JBSS has launched a fun and educational way to inspire kids across the country to think about how to help the environment. Third and fourth-graders at elementary schools in JBSS plant communities in Gustine, California; Bainbridge, GA, Elgin, IL; Garysburg, NC and Selma, Texas were asked to draw pictures on recycled paper of inventions to recycle and help keep the Earth clean. A winner was chosen from each school, and a grand prizewinner was chosen from the finalists from each school.

To help commemorate Earth Day and the students’ creative efforts toward saving the environment, JBSS will be planting a tree at each of the participating elementary schools around the country. Each of these schools also will receive a Wal-Mart gift certificate.

On the same day, at JBSS’ Elgin headquarters, employees are planting trees, shrubs and prairie grass along Fox Lane.

JBSS is committed to helping to reduce its impact on the world’s resources and to be socially and environmentally responsible in their actions, practices and decision-making. The company developed Corporate and local Resource Conservation Teams with leaders at its Elgin headquarters and in each of its plant communities. Efforts are underway to help reduce the company’s energy usage and to continue researching packaging materials and processing methods to help lower emissions and waste.

One example of JBSS’ environmental achievements is the new Earth-Friendly packaging for the Fisher® Chef’s Naturals baking nut line and Fisher snack and baking products for the food service channel in which a portion of the packaging is now made with thirty-five percent renewable resources. Processing these packages with sustainable materials saves the environment up to 34,000 gallons of gasoline every year*

For the company’s overall environmental strategy, JBSS is actively implementing the following initiatives:

• Sustainable – Some packaging programs are being converted to have a portion of the package processed with sustainable materials. Fisher will launch a Baking Nut Program using 35% plant-based film structures, and all corrugated boxes will be purchased through Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified vendors.
• Recycling – Internal recycling and conservation programs have been instituted. Composite cans are now made from 50% recycled paperboard material.
• Lightweighting – JBSS is currently working with vendors to lightweight its PET jars.
• Manufacturing – Energy and waste reduction initiatives have been identified at every plant.

“Statistics and research show the importance of making changes in our business practices to help protect our global resources and climate,” Schumann said. "JBSS is taking steps to become an environmental leader. Our vision and focus will set an example of our own level of expectations to our customers, our vendors, our consumers, our employees and our children.”

About John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., founded in 1922, is a leading processor, marketer and distributor of shelled and in-shell nuts and extruded snacks that are sold in multiple distribution channels. Their products can be found under the company’s Fisher and Sunshine Country brand names and under a variety of private labels. Visit www.fishernuts.com for more information.

*Based on JBSS estimated annual sales for packages that are partially produced with sustainable materials.