SunOpta to Distribute Garden Green Garbanzo

TORONTOSunOpta Inc. announced that the SunOpta Fruit Group has entered into exclusive agreements with Clearwater Country Foods of Genesee, Idaho, to market and distribute the company's Garden Green Garbanzo. Under the terms of the agreement, SunOpta will be responsible for global sales and distribution of the Garden Green Garbanzo, and Clearwater will provide exclusive sourcing and supply services.

SunOpta has been working with Clearwater Country Foods for approximately eighteen months and during that time has completed an extensive market analysis assessing the potential of the sustainable and healthy green garbanzo and hummus markets with applications for retail, food service and industrial customers. The Company expects to initially launch the product in July 2010, packaging within its own facilities, and expanding listings over the balance of the year, with expected profitable revenues of approximately $10 million realized over the first full year of commercialization.

"We are very pleased to have completed this agreement as we believe the Garden Green Garbanzo is very complementary with our current product offerings and has tremendous market potential based on the versatility, flavor, and health benefits it offers consumers," said Gerry Watts, President of the SunOpta Fruit Group. "This is truly a unique and flavorful product that embraces the values of SunOpta in the healthy foods segment. Green Garbanzos are high in fiber and folate and naturally low in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, thus promoting a healthy heart.  Being an excellent source of fiber, green garbanzos contribute to satiety, helping consumers to maintain a healthy weight. They are an all natural non-allergenic source of protein and contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium and a number of other minerals and phytonutrients.  Green Garbanzos are grown without the use of insecticides and return nitrogen to the soil promoting agricultural sustainability.  We believe Green Garbanzos are an excellent dietary option that will be unique in the marketplace and open to a wide range of potential product applications."