FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOGGIATTO PRODUCE RECEIVES PURVEYOR AWARD FROM CARRABBA’S ITALIAN GRILL
Named Purveyor of the Year for Second Consecutive Year

SAN DIEGO, CA, April 14, 2004 – Boggiatto Produce, Inc., producers of Garden Hearts® hearts of romaine, has received a Purveyor of the Year award from Carrabba’s Italian Grill for the second consecutive year.

The award was presented at a ceremony during the company’s annual partners’ conference, held in San Diego. 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.  The award was presented by Carrabba’s Italian Grill Co-Founders Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola, President Steve Shlemon, and Vice President Operations Bill Kadow.

Shlemon stated, “We began partnering with Boggiatto Produce six years ago to bring Boggiatto’s hearts of romaine to all of our restaurants. At Carrabba’s, we source only the finest quality ingredients for our customers and we count on Boggiatto Produce to consistently and dependably provide that. We have chosen to use Garden Hearts® exclusively system wide.”

“On behalf of Boggiatto Produce, I’m proud to receive this award for a second time from Carrabba’s Italian Grill,” stated President and General Manager Michael Boggiatto. “Our companies share a commitment to quality and service that has allowed us to grow together over the last few years.  Carrabba’s is one of our most valued customers and we look forward to serving them 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 and today, its Garden Hearts® label is the undisputed industry leader. Available to foodservice operations throughout the United States and Canada, Garden Hearts® hearts of romaine are the young, sweet and tender, inner leaves that are harvested from mature heads of romaine lettuce, providing superior body and crunch to regular romaine, as well as superior shelf life. In addition to Garden Hearts®, the company sells a full line of approximately 50 fresh produce varieties.

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 154 restaurants in 27 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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NOTE:  Photography is available upon request.  Please contact Cindy Railing at 510-885-1952 or via e-mail at [email protected].

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

Andi Jacobs, VP Marketing Carrabba’s Italian Grill 813-288-8286, x2104 [email protected]