ROCKLIN, Calif., Dec. 18, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Peabodys Coffee, Inc. (OTCBB:PBDY), a retailer and marketer of USDA certified organic Black Rhino Coffee(tm), announced today that the product is available in one hundred fifty select Wal-Mart stores in the Western United States. Wal-Mart has made available the full Black Rhino product line of ground coffee, which includes French Roast, Spiritu Blend and Alma Blend.
"We are extremely pleased to see our Black Rhino brand in Wal-Mart" stated Todd Tkachuk, President and CEO of Peabodys Coffee Inc. "We believe that Wal-Mart has recognized that the mainstream consumer is actively seeking organic products and we look forward to helping meet that demand."
According to Packaged Facts, organic food sales totaled $11 billion in 2002 and continue to show an annual growth rate equal to 20% or more annually. This growth is fueled, in part, due to increased distribution via traditional grocery outlets. In fact, the USDA reports that as of 1999, conventional food stores began outselling natural products supermarkets in several key categories.
"Black Rhino brand certified organic coffee is the product best positioned to appeal to the mainstream consumer who shops in traditional retail outlets, and we will continue to aggressively distribute our product to this growing market," added Tkachuk. "The organic coffee category is not currently dominated by a single national brand and our objective is to become that brand."
For more information about Black Rhino Coffee, go to www.blackrhinocoffee.com.
About Peabodys Coffee:
Peabodys has developed the Black Rhino Coffee(tm) brand for marketing packaged certified organic coffee in retail markets. Currently, Black Rhino Coffee(tm) is on the shelf of 500-600 supermarkets that are serviced by BI-LO in South Carolina, and SuperValu (NYSE:SVU) in Virginia and Pennsylvania. With organic coffee being one of the fastest growing segments of the specialty coffee market, Black Rhino Coffee(tm) has uniquely positioned itself in the high growth natural foods category. Its three hand-roasted blends -- Alma, Spiritu and French Roast -- are grown chemical-free under strict, totally natural conditions. All Black Rhino Coffee(tm) is independently certified under the United States Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., operates more than 2,965 discount stores, Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets, and more than 530 SAM'S CLUBS in the United States. In 2003, Wal-Mart was named Fortune magazine's No. 1 Most Admired Company in America, along with receiving the 2002 Ron Brown Award, the highest Presidential Award recognizing outstanding achievement in employee relations and community initiatives. Last year, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., contributed more than $200 million to support communities and local non-profit organizations. More information about Wal-Mart can be located online at www.walmartstores.com and www.walmart.com. The SAM'S CLUB Web site can be accessed at www.samsclub.com. And more information about Wal-Mart's Good Works community involvement is available online at www.walmartfoundation.org.
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