B&G Foods Announces Plan to Close New Iberia, Louisiana Plant

    Business Editors/Food Editors

    PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2005--B&G Foods, Inc. (AMEX: BGF), a manufacturer and marketer of high quality, shelf-stable foods, announced today that it plans to close its manufacturing and warehouse facility in New Iberia, Louisiana and move the facility's operations to B&G Foods' other existing facilities. The New Iberia plant, which manufactures Trappey's hot sauces and peppers, is B&G Foods' only facility in Louisiana.
    "Our decision to close the New Iberia, Louisiana plant is consistent with B&G Foods' ongoing efforts to optimize production capacity, improve productivity and operating efficiencies and lower overall costs. Although this was a difficult decision, we believe that closing of the plant is in the best long-term interests of B&G Foods and our employees and security holders," said David Wenner, B&G Foods' chief executive officer.
    The plant is scheduled to close by approximately July 1, 2005. All eligible employees will be offered severance and assistance with finding new employment.

    About B&G Foods, Inc.

    B&G Foods and its subsidiaries manufacture, sell and distribute a diversified portfolio of high-quality, shelf-stable foods across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. B&G Foods' products include Mexican-style sauces, pickles and peppers, hot sauces, wine vinegar, maple syrup, molasses, fruit spreads, pasta sauces, beans, spices, salad dressings, marinades, taco kits, salsas and taco shells. B&G Foods competes in the retail grocery, food service, specialty store, private label, club and mass merchandiser channels of distribution. Based in Parsippany, N.J., B&G Foods' products are marketed under many recognized brands, including Ac'cent, B&G, B&M, Brer Rabbit, Emeril's, Joan of Arc, Las Palmas, Maple Grove Farms of Vermont, Ortega, Polaner, Red Devil, Regina, San Del, Ac'cent Sa-Son, Trappey's, Underwood, Up Country Organics, Vermont Maid and Wright's.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the actual results of B&G Foods to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties readers are urged to consider statements labeled with the terms "believes," "belief," "expects," "intends," "anticipates" or "plans" to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in B&G Foods' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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CONTACT: Investor Relations: ICR, Inc. Don Duffy, 203-682-8215 or Media Relations: ICR, Inc. John Flanagan, 203-682-8222

KEYWORD: LOUISIANA NEW JERSEY INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SUPERMARKETS FOODS/BEVERAGES RETAIL SOURCE: B&G Foods, Inc.

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