DEL MONTE® Brand Announces Food Network Host and Author Dave Lieberman as Spokesperson for its "Value Without Sacrifice” Campaign

To help consumers continue to make the best choices for their families during a difficult economic climate, Del Monte Foods (NYSE: DLM) and Del Monte^® brand today announce Food Network TV host and author Dave Lieberman as a spokesperson for its ongoing "Value Without Sacrifice” campaign, which launched earlier this year. Along with Del Monte, Dave will continue to empower consumers with helpful tips and delicious meal solutions to help them make the most of their grocery budgets – without sacrificing great taste, nutrition, variety or the quality of their fruits and vegetables. Del Monte products have always stood for quality, nutrition and value, and are thus uniquely positioned to meet consumers’ needs regardless of the economic environment.

"Now more than ever home cooks are looking for economic ways to cook nutritious meals for their families,” said Dave Lieberman, Food Network TV host and author. "Del Monte allows families who are on a limited schedule and budget to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diet with all the taste, convenience and quality they've come to expect from Del Monte. Fruits and vegetables are a critical part of any healthy diet and I'm excited to partner with Del Monte to remind people to make fruits, vegetables and tomatoes the central part of their home cooking.”

The first wave of the "Value Without Sacrifice” creative campaign launched in April 2009, marking the first time in more than a decade that the Del Monte brand has appeared on television with advertising spots. The creative conveys a strong "more for your money” message through the clever use of imagery that simulate the "stretching” of Del Monte’s wide variety of fruits and vegetables demonstrating their inherent freshness and value compared to fresh or frozen alternatives.

The second wave of the campaign will continue in November and feature the strategic partnership with Dave Lieberman. Dave’s show on the Food Network "Good Deal with Dave Lieberman,” teaches viewers how to develop quick, easy and inexpensive meals for the family, and provides them with practical tips on how to keep the cost down without sacrificing quality or taste. Through national and regional media efforts, Dave will provide consumers with simple recipes, as well as helpful tips and solutions on stretching their food dollars.

"Del Monte products empower consumers to provide their families with healthful, nutritious and delicious meals within their budgets,” said Bill Pearce, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Del Monte Foods. "Del Monte recognizes the real economic challenges facing today’s consumers. Our ‘Value Without Sacrifice’ campaign reminds consumers that Del Monte brand products can be a valuable part of a family’s meal-planning strategy while offering great taste, quality and convenience.”

The "Value Without Sacrifice” campaign was developed by Smith Brothers Agency (Pittsburgh, PA). It is also being supported through high-impact, broad-reaching and viral publicity by agency partner Coburn Communication (New York, NY).

For more information about how Del Monte can help "Stretch Your Dollar,” visit www.delmonte.com/solutions.

About Dave Lieberman

Dave Lieberman is a chef, author and Food Network host of "Good Deal with Dave Lieberman” and "Dave Does,” the Food Network’s first web-based series. He has published two cookbooks: Young and Hungry: More than 100 Recipes for Cooking Fresh and Affordable Food for Everyone in 2005 and Dave’s Dinners: A Fresh Approach to Home-Cooked Meals in 2006. This December, Dave’s third cookbook, THE 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO EAT: And More Than 100 Easy and Delicious Ways to Prepare Them will be released. He also hosts In Search of Real Food, a food-related travel series for Yahoo and is a contributing editor to Saveur magazine as well as the regular food columnist for Women's Health magazine. For more information about Dave Lieberman, please visit: www.davecooks.net.

Del Monte and Feeding America™

Realizing that food dollars may be especially tight this year, Del Monte Foods^® has partnered with Feeding America™ in the fight to end hunger by providing meals to more than 300,000 families. Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity on a mission to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger. Each year, the Feeding America network provides food assistance to more than 25 million low-income people facing hunger in the United States, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors.

About Del Monte Foods®

Del Monte Foods is one of the country’s largest and most well-known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded food and pet products for the U.S. retail market, generating approximately $3.6 billion in net sales in fiscal 2009. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte^®, S&W^®, Contadina^®, College Inn^®, Meow Mix^®, Kibbles 'n Bits^®, 9Lives^®, Milk-Bone^®, Pup-Peroni^®, Meaty Bone^®, Snausages^® and Pounce^®, Del Monte products are found in eight out of ten U.S. households. The Company also produces, distributes and markets private label food and pet products. For more information on Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM) visit the Company’s website at www.delmonte.com.

Del Monte. Nourishing Families. Enriching Lives. Every Day™