FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOGGIATTO PRODUCE NAMED PURVEYOR OF THE YEAR
BY CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL
Recognized for the Third Consecutive Year

ORLANDO, FL, April 9, 2005 – Boggiatto Produce, Inc., producers of Garden Hearts® hearts of romaine, was named a Purveyor of the Year for the third consecutive year by Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

The award was presented at a recent ceremony during the company’s annual conference, held in Orlando, Florida. Carrabba’s gives the award annually to purveyors that exemplify the highest standards in partnering with the company to provide consistently top-quality product to its restaurants.   

Presenting the award, Carrabba’s President Steven Shlemon stated, “We began partnering with Boggiatto Produce in 1998 to bring Garden Hearts® hearts of romaine to all of our restaurants. At Carrabba’s, we demand the finest quality for our customers and we count on Boggiatto Produce to consistently and dependably provide that.  We use Garden Hearts® hearts of romaine exclusively throughout the chain.”

“On behalf of Boggiatto Produce, I’m proud to accept this award from Carrabba’s Italian Grill,” stated President and General Manager Michael Boggiatto. “Because our companies share a common commitment to quality and service to our customers, we are perfectly matched. Both companies have grown together over the last few years and we look forward to serving Carrabba’s for many years to come.”

Based in Salinas, California, the “Salad Bowl of the World,” Boggiatto Produce, Inc. was established in 1989 as a fresh produce shipper. In 1992, the company pioneered the growing, packing and shipping of hearts of romaine under its industry-leading Garden Hearts® label.  This year, the company is introducing Garden Hearts® Iceberg Babies™, miniature iceberg lettuce that is about the size of a softball.  In addition to its branded products, the company ships a line of approximately 60 other fresh produce items.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill is a wholly owned subsidiary of Outback Steakhouse, Inc. (NYSE: OSI). Founded in Houston in 1986 by Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola, members of one of Houston’s most successful restaurant families, the company was acquired by Outback in 1993. With more than 177 restaurants in 30 states, Carrabba’s specializes in serving top-quality, authentic Italian food in an atmosphere that welcomes guests with the casual warmth and hospitality that is synonymous with Italian culture.

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CONTACT: Cindy Railing, APR Railing & Associates 510-885-1952 [email protected]