Van Houtte to Produce Wolfgang Puck K-Cup(R) Portion Packs

MONTREAL , Feb. 11 /CNW Telbec/ - Van Houtte and Wolfgang Puck Coffee announce today that they have signed a Joint Venture Agreement for the roasting, packaging and distribution of Wolfgang Puck K-Cup(R) portion packs in the U.S. and Canada . Van Houtte will be the exclusive manufacturer of Wolfgang Puck specialty coffees packaged in K-Cup portion packs designed for use in Keurig(R) brewers.

The Wolfgang Puck K-Cup portion packs will be available in grocery stores, retailers, office coffee service and hotels, along with other Van Houtte branded products including coffee K-Cup portion packs, in North America . This agreement represents an important step in each company's strategy to strengthen their respective presence in the North American market. "We are extremely satisfied with the Van Houtte standard of quality in manufacturing specialty coffee K-Cup portion packs," stated Eric McCoy, President of Wolfgang Puck Coffee.

Sylvain Toutant, President of the retail division of Van Houtte L.P. stated, "The joint venture with Wolfgang Puck was a natural step to increase our presence outside Quebec ." Van Houtte believes Wolfgang Puck to be a brand with similar values and quality.

About Van Houtte

Founded in 1919, Van Houtte is one of North America's leaders in the roasting, processing, marketing and distribution of high-quality coffees. The Company roasts and processes fine coffees, which it markets in Canada and the United States throughout grocery, club and specialty stores, a coffee services network, Van Houtte branded cafés, and online.

About Wolfgang Puck Company

Wolfgang Puck Coffee brings estate grown and organic coffees created by chef Wolfgang Puck to market as a licensee of Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc. The coffees are harvested from the world's finest coffee growing regions and roasted to perfection in small batches to ensure freshness. Thousands of hotels, offices, and foodservice establishments throughout North America currently serve Wolfgang Puck Coffee. Retail coffees can be found at select grocery chains or online.

For further information: Marianne Boulet, [phone] ext. 234; Source: Van Houtte, www.vanhoutte.com