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American Heart Association Certifies Mills Family Farms(R) Wholeaves(R) Product Line

Posted on: Wednesday, 4 January 2006, 12:00 CST

SALINAS, Calif., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Mills Family Farms is excited to announce that the Wholeaves(R) Green Leaf, Red Leaf, Green Cascade Mix(R) and Romaine lettuce is now certified by the American Heart Association.

The American Heart Association certifies products that meet food criteria for saturated fat and cholesterol for healthy people over age 2. Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) certified products will proudly display the heart-check mark, the recognizable symbol grocery shoppers look for when making heart-healthy food choices.

"The American Heart Association recommends that grocery shoppers look for the distinctive heart-check mark when they're grocery shopping," said Penny Kris-Etherton, R.D., Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Nutrition at Pennsylvania State University and American Heart Association volunteer. "The heart-check mark makes it quick and easy to identify foods that make up heart-healthy diet."

Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) are washed, ready-to-use, individual lettuce leaves. The retail packs are fresh, nutritious and offer the ultimate in convenience. Top it, toss it or dress it up with Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R). Available in Green Leaf, Red Leaf, Romaine and Green Cascade Mix (R), Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) are perfect for topping a sandwich, dressing up a burger or tossing into a sensational salad. Wholeaves(R) are also ideal for gourmet wraps! Whether enjoying alone or topping with nuts, fresh fruit and feta cheese, Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) new retail line offers fresh ideas and are a healthy addition to any meal.

Wholeaves(R) are premium lettuce leaves that are individually selected, separated from the core with a patented "no-cut" system, meticulously washed and carefully packed. Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) stand-alone in freshness and consistency and are available year-round. Mills Family Farms(R) patented "no-cut" method seals in freshness (when handled properly the product can stay fresh up to 21 days!) and eliminates the use of preservatives.

Each leaf is gently hand-separated from the core, leaving its vital tissue naturally intact. The patented method protects every leaf from dehydration and leaf shock that can occur with processing methods when lettuce is chopped or cut. Each leaf is kept whole allowing the vegetable's natural quality, nutrients and delicious flavor to remain unchanged.

Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) are not only winners with restaurants, consumers, and professional chefs, they're also winners of the American Culinary Institute Best of Class award in the foodservice whole leaf lettuce category for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. In a blind taste test by a panel of professional chefs, Wholeaves(R) were judged to be "superior in appearance, flavor, taste, and overall impression." Additionally, Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R) received The American Culinary Federation nationally acclaimed Seal of Approval for 2005 and 2006.

Mills Family Farms(R), based in Salinas, California, is a privately owned, vertically integrated grower/shipper -- thus all aspects of growing, harvesting, processing, and shipping are tightly monitored against the highest standards. For almost half a century, they have been supplying the foodservice industry, retailers, wholesalers, and brokers nationwide with quality lettuce and a wide variety of Western vegetables.

At Mills Family Farms(R), we believe the perfect salad begins with the right foundation. Remember, there are thousands of ways to create a salad, but only one way to start -- Mills Family Farms Wholeaves(R). For more information about Mills Family Farms(R) and their complete line of Wholeaves(R) products, please visit our web site at http://www.millsfamilyfarms.com/.

Festive Salad Greens Serves 4; 2 cups salad and 2 tablespoons dressing per serving 8 cups torn romaine 1 cup dried apricot halves, cut into strips 1/3 cup pecan halves or chopped pecans, dry-roasted 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced into rings and quartered 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon crumbled fat-free or reduced-fat feta cheese

1/2 cup fat-free or light balsamic vinaigrette or fat-free or light Italian

dressing

In a large bowl, toss together all the ingredients except the dressing. Pour

the dressing over the salad. Toss gently to coat.

Cook's Tip on Dry-Roasting Nuts: Dry-roasting nuts intensifies their flavor,

so you can use fewer of them. Put the nuts in a skillet over medium heat and

cook just until they begin to release their fragrance, 2 to 4 minutes, constantly stirring or shaking the pan to prevent burning. Remove the nuts from the skillet so they don't continue to brown. Nutrients per Serving Calories 209 Total Fat 7.5 g Saturated 0.5 g Polyunsaturated 2.5 g Monounsaturated 4.0 g Cholesterol 0 mg Sodium 343 mg Carbohydrates 35 g Total Sugars 24 g Dietary Fiber 6 g Protein 4 g Diabetic Exchanges 1 1/2 fruit 1 vegetable 1/2 other carbohydrate 1 1/2 fat

This recipe is reprinted with permission from Love Your Heart Recipes, Copyright (C) 2006 by the American Heart Association. Available at grocery-store checkouts nationwide in February, while supplies last.

Check out the latest information on Mills Family Farms New Web Site --

http://www.millsfamilyfarms.com/.

Mills Family Farms

CONTACT: Marci Bracco, of Mills Family Farms, +1-831-755-2000, ormarci@millsfamilyfarms.com

Web site: http://www.millsfamilyfarms.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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