TALKINGRAIN BEVERAGE COMPANY INKS AGREEMENT WITH 7-ELEVEN

Posted: 7/16/2003 2:11:41 PM

TO DISTRIBUTE TWO LINES OF LOW-CALORIE/LOW-CARBOHYDRATE BEVERAGES IN 4000 COMPANY-OWNED STORES

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(Preston, WA – July 16, 2003) – Oh thank heaven – and rain -- for 7-Eleven. A new distribution agreement will bring Sparkling ICE Sparkling Spring Water with 3% Juice and Vitamins C & E (Sparkling ICE) from TalkingRain Beverage Co. to 4000 7-Eleven stores across the nation – including stores across the Puget Sound region, TalkingRain Vice President of Sales and Distribution Mike Fox announced today.

The four-flavor line of Sparkling ICE is sweetened with Splenda® brand No Calorie Sweetener and real fruit juice to create tasty, lightly carbonated, liquid refreshment. Each 8-ounce serving delivers just three calories and one carbohydrate and is sodium-free. Flavors include Pink Grapefruit, Harvest Peach, Orange Mango, and Black Raspberry. The beverage line should appear on company store shelves as early as September 1, 2003.

In addition, 7-Eleven company stores will initiate distribution of TalkingRain’s ICE Botanical line of zero-calorie/zero-carbohydrate non-carbonated beverages as early as October 1, 2003. These beverages combine fruit flavors with Vitamin C and herbal extracts. The flavor variety includes Cranberry Raspberry, Key Lime, Kiwi Strawberry, and Passion Peach. These beverages are also sweetened with Splenda® brand No Calorie Sweetener.

Splenda is the brand name for Sucralose. It is the only sweetener made from sugar, and that’s why it tastes like sugar. Sucralose received the most broad-sweeping approval ever granted by the FDA for a food ingredient. Visit www.splenda.com to learn more.

Sparkling ICE and TalkingRain ICE Botanicals will be sold in 16 and 16.9 ounce single serve bottles, respectively. They will retail for $1.29 each.

Fox attended the National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees (NCASEF) Trade Show in Las Vegas July 8-10 to introduce the franchise community to the two beverage lines.

“Energy drinks and low-calorie/low-carbohydrate snacks and beverages are really hot right now at 7-Eleven,” Fox said, “This sets a great stage for TalkingRain beverages. Franchisees who tried our beverages at the show were really pleased with the taste.”

The low-calorie/low-carbohydrate blends for these TalkingRain beverages make them popular among consumers following the Atkins diet.

“We continue to get calls and emails from consumers across the country who want to buy our Sparkling ICE and ICE Botanical product lines in bulk. They tell us that these beverages provide great flavor, while helping them to stay within the limits of low carbohydrate diets. The distribution agreement with 7-Eleven makes it very convenient for consumers to buy these beverages,” Fox added.

A number of other stores throughout the Northwest and Northern California, such as Albertson’s, QFC, Larry’s Market, Bartells, and the Metropolitan Market (formerly Queen Anne Thriftway) introduced TalkingRain Sparkling Spring Water with 3% Juice and Vitamins C & E earlier this year. Fred Meyer will debut the product by August of this year.

Fox said the product introduction has been a resounding success. “Sales are exceeding expectations.”

The mission of TalkingRain Beverage Company is to develop and market quality beverage products in unique packaging for calorie-conscious consumers. Founded in 1987, TalkingRain Beverage Company is headquartered in Preston, Washington. The company's bottling plant employs 60 people that produce Sparkling ICE, TalkingRain ICE Botanicals, TalkingRain Sparkling Spring Water with 3% Juice and Vitamins C & E, TalkingRain Mountain Spring Water and Flavored Sparkling Waters, and Airwater Oxygenated Water. Visit www.talkingrain.com to learn more. For distribution opportunities, email Talk2Rain~talkingrain.com

TalkingRain is a community-oriented company that donates product to over 450 events each year and supports a variety of causes, including Special Olympics and United Way. The company won the Corporate Citizenship Award in the 2003 Eastside Business Awards sponsored by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. This award recognizes the company that best demonstrates through its actions the strategic importance of community involvement in the achievement of its broader business goals.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nancy S. Juetten, 425-641-5214, nancy~nsjmktg.com