Del Monte Foods Company Declares Dividend of $0.04 Per Share

Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend on its common stock of $0.04 per share. The dividend is payable on May 1, 2008 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 17, 2008. 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 more than $3.4 billion in net sales in fiscal 2007. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte®, StarKist®, 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 nine 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.™ There can be no assurance that dividends will be declared or paid in the future. The actual declaration and payment of future dividends and the establishment of record and payment dates, if any, are subject to determination by our Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our then-current strategy, applicable debt covenants and financial performance and position, among other matters. Our declaration and payment of future dividends is subject to risks and uncertainties, including: deterioration of our financial performance or position; inability to declare a dividend in compliance with applicable laws or debt covenants; an increase in our cash needs or decrease in available cash; and the business judgment of the Board of Directors that a declaration of a dividend is not in Del Monte Foods Company’s best interests, as well as other risks that may be detailed, from time to time, in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Factors that could affect our financial performance or position, compliance with applicable debt covenants, or our cash flow include those risks and uncertainties detailed, from time to time, in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.