MADISON, Maine (May 11, 2009) - As part of its expanding operations, Backyard Farms, the largest New England greenhouse grower of vine-ripened tomatoes, will begin hiring 75 employees this month to work at its new greenhouse in Madison, Maine, which has been under construction since October 2008.

With its second greenhouse coming on line this summer, Backyard Farms will have a total of 42 acres of year-round greenhouse growing space, employing about 175 people.

Additionally, the company announced it has opened a corporate office in Portland, which is the new home for the company's senior-level business strategy, sales, marketing and finance functions.

"Given the current challenging economic environment, we are particularly proud to be adding jobs to the state of Maine that has consistently been very helpful to and supportive of our business," said Roy Lubetkin, president and chief executive officer, Backyard Farms. "By this fall, our new greenhouse will enable us to almost double our production of year-round, tomatoes-on-the-vine and offer new tomato varietals."

Governor John Baldacci praised both the company's expansion in Madison and the establishment of its office in Portland, stating, "I am pleased that Maine has been able to help Backyard Farms become a local business leader. The continuing growth of Backyard Farms and its contributions to Maine have been a real success story for the State and reaffirms our rich agricultural history."

            "Portland is Maine's business, financial and retail capital as well as the largest city in the state and an important market for our customer base," said Lubetkin. "Our new office in Portland's Old Port district allows us to maximize our ability to do business in the Northeast and be closer to many of the retail customers who sell our tomatoes."

Since its first crop in 2007, Backyard Farms has produced more than 30 million pounds of tomatoes for sale across the Northeastern U.S., approximately 35 percent of which were sold in Maine. 

Applications for positions at the greenhouse can be accessed through the "Employment Opportunities" tab at www.backyardfarms.com.

About Backyard Farms

Backyard Farms operates a 24-acre, state-of-the-art greenhouse in Madison, Maine that provides the Northeast with fresh, locally-grown Backyard Farms tomatoes year-round. The company has based its business on the principles of taking care of its employees, giving back to local communities and treating the earth with respect. Backyard Farms tomatoes are left on the vine to ripen and shipped within just a day of harvest, creating a tomato that is sweet and busting with flavor. For more information on Backyard Farms, visit www.backyardfarms.com.

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