Almond Board of California Releases Report
on Food Attitudes and Behaviors of 42 Million Women

Heart disease, weight management, healthy indulgence, convenience top of mind

(MODESTO, Calif.) - A passion for almonds unifies more than 40 million American women. To document this passion as well as other drivers impacting the purchase of specific menu items and foods, the Almond Board of California (ABC) will be releasing a compelling report at the upcoming Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) 2007 Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Chicago, July 27 - 31. The new report highlights more than a decade of market, consumer and nutrition research that focuses on "Jane," the ABC primary target consumer. Jane's power in key product categories, the drivers behind her food choices, and her passion for products and restaurant menu items with almonds is showcased in this engaging report.

This inaugural report will be of interest to foodservice and food manufacturing companies seeking support for new menu or product development.

Jane is a real-life manifestation of today's health-oriented, food-involved, convenience-seeking consumer.In fact, Jane's consumption accounts for nearly 43 percent of almond pound growth from 2001-2004 (1).

"The Jane audience represents 42 million U.S. consumers," said Harbinder Maan, Manager of Food Service and Industrial Marketing at ABC. "She is our target audience because her attitudes toward health, nutrition and flavor are perfectly aligned with the offerings of almonds. Therefore, Jane is most receptive to potential almond messages.

For this reason, she acts as an ambassador for almonds and foods with almonds, making her an influential force in many packaged food product and foodservice categories."

Following are several insights related to Jane's drivers and purchasing habits:

* Nearly 80 percent of Janes say lowering the risk of heart disease is a very important health benefit when choosing foods to eat (2). Thirteen years of research have shown that almonds can lower cholesterol as part of a diet low in saturated fat (3).

* In addition, 62 percent of Janes agree that almonds blend together great taste and nutrition in a wonderful way (2). Plus, 91 percent of Janes agree that foods with almonds are better nutritionally (1).

* More than 60 percent of Janes say they would be very likely to eat more almonds if they knew it could help them maintain or even lose weight (2). According to recent studies, almonds may improve satiety and can be eaten without the fear of weight gain (3).

Growing Almond Use in Products
Jane's craving for almonds has grown along with the number of food products that now include almonds. Almost one in four new products (22 percent) in the U.S. introduced with nuts in 2006 featured almonds (4). Additionally, almond bakery introductions increased by 55 percent (4), while the category with nuts grew only by 30 percent.
Products or menu items with 11g (or 9 almonds), per serving, are entitled to use the FDA approved qualified health claim, which states that "scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease." A one-ounce, 160-calorie handful of almonds is an excellent source of vitamin E and magnesium, a good source of protein and fiber, and offers heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, antioxidants, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, and iron.

ABC Events at the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo

* To learn more about the driving forces behind Jane's purchasing decisions for both her and her family, pick up the newly published report at the Almond Board of California exhibit #3476 adjacent to the IFT/RCA Culinology® demonstration stage.

* Attend the ABC pre-meeting short courses with a lunchtime presentation from the Almond Board about the purchasing power of Jane.

Also, check out the art of Culinology® with almonds at the popular IFT/RCA demonstrations:

* Sunday, July 29 - Children & obesity

* Monday, July 30 - Campus dining

* Tuesday, July 31 - Adult wellnessAttention Media

Please contact Molly Spence at (312) 856-8843 or Max Martens at (310) 444-7084 for more information, or a copy of the report.

Footnotes
1. Sterling-Rice Group, Boulder, Colo., 2006. U.S. Consumer Attitudes and Usage of California Almonds.

2. Porter Novelli, Washington, DC, 2006. Consumer StylesData.

3. For a complete list of the research studies, visit www.AlmondsAreIn.com.

4. Mintel GNPD and Sterling-Rice Group. Global New Product Introductions Report, 2006.

The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Established in 1950, the Board's charge is to promote the best quality almonds, California's largest tree nut crop. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit www.AlmondsAreIn.com.