February 24, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John W Roulac, (800) 993-4367

Nutiva Hires Industry Veteran Jim Rabiolo as National Sales Manager

Sebastopol, CA (February 24, 2004) — Nutiva, a Northern California manufacturer of hemp food products, today announced the hiring of Jim Rabiolo as its national sales manager. "We're very excited to have Jim help accelerate Nutiva's sales, and—with the hemp foods industry's recent court victory—the timing couldn't be better," says Nutiva founder and president John W. Roulac. "Jim's extensive knowledge and natural products industry contacts will help to bring Nutiva's expanding product line to the attention of many new retailers; we're lucky to have him on board," he adds.

Mr. Rabiolo is a 23-year veteran in the natural products industry, having served as director of purchasing at Denver-based Rainbow Natural Foods Distributing, as natural category sales manager for Tom's of Maine, and in various positions at UNFI in the east.

"Nutiva offers consumers the highest quality nutritional products in each of its category offerings. Hempseed items are regaining their place in the American diet. With growing awareness of the importance of medium-chain fats in dietary consumption, Nutiva's new organic coconut oil will be positioned as the preferred cooking oil. Coupled with sustainable agricultural practices and corporate giving, Nutiva embodies the highest principles of the natural industry. Nutiva is a company with all the right ingredients to succeed, and I am proud to be contributing," says Jim Rabiolo.

Mr. Rabiolo will work out of his Denver home office, overseeing Nutiva's broker network and handling key account calls to leading retailers, including Whole Foods and Wild Oats. Nutiva operates on the virtual company model, using technology to network the company's associates located across North America.

LEGAL UPDATE
Hemp foods continue to be legal to consume in America. On October 9, 2001, Nutiva, along with the Hemp Industries Association, sued the United States DEA in the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. On February 6, 2004, the Court issued its final ruling, striking down the DEA's proposed rules.

NUTIVA NOURISHES PEOPLE AND PLANET
Nutiva is dedicated to a healthy and sustainable world for all, demonstrating its mission to nourish people and planet by using healthy organic ingredients, enriching the soil, and supporting worthy causes by donating 1 percent of sales to groups that promote sustainable agriculture. Founded in 1999, Nutiva offers nutritious organic hemp and flax food bars, hemp protein powder, hemp oil, shelled hempseed, and extra-virgin coconut oil nationwide through more than 2,000 natural food retailers, including Whole Foods Markets and Wild Oats. Hempseed is the world's most nutritious seed—a rich source of Omega-3, GLA, vitamin E, and protein.  For more information, visit http://www.nutiva.com or call (800) 993-4367.