WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California - March 02, 2012

Acquisition helps Dole’s growth in the health and nutrition packaged food space

Dole Food Company, Inc. (NYSE: DOLE) today announced the acquisition of Mrs. May’s Naturals, a company committed to providing consumers with wholesome snacks for a healthier lifestyle. The acquisition,which will become part of the Dole Packaged Foods division, will help accelerate the development of Dole’s all-natural offerings in the health and nutrition space.

A family-run business founded in 2002, Mrs. May’s Naturals, with 2011 revenues of approximately $16 million, was created to bring consumers natural, wholesome snack alternatives to junk food. With product offerings like fruit and nut based clusters, bars and freeze-dried fruit, Mrs.May’s Naturals will help expand Dole’s offerings in new sections of the grocery store.

"Mrs. May’s Naturals is a recognized name with proven results at major retailers,” said David DeLorenzo, President and CEO at Dole Food Company. “Their all-natural snacks, which include vegan, gluten-free,and kosher options, fit perfectly with the Dole ’Nutrition Plus‘ product line which is designed to improve health and wellness through diet."

All Mrs. May’s products will continue to be packaged under the Mrs. May’s label and carried in their existing retailers. Dole sees the retention of the independent brand label as an opportunity to grow the brand and will also be looking at co-branding opportunities and new product development.

Mrs. May’s will be exhibiting their extensive product offerings at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West at the Anaheim ConventionCenter in Anaheim, California March 9-11.

About Dole Food Company

Dole, with 2010 net revenues of $6.9 billion, is the world’s largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, and is the leading producer of organic bananas. Dole markets a growing line of packaged and frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research.