Artisanal Brands, Inc. Announces Marketing Partnership With Admiral Imports

NEW YORK, July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Artisanal Brands, Inc. (OTCQB:AHFP) ("Artisanal" or "the Company"), a marketer and distributor of specialty, artisanal and farmstead cheese products and other specialty food products, today announced a marketing partnership with Admiral Imports ("Admiral"), a New Jersey-based importer and marketer of premium wines and spirits.  

Starting this week, Admiral and Artisanal will begin cross-marketing cheeses and wines using Artisanal's 4-colored, consumer-friendly Artisanal CheeseClock™ pairing system.   Retailers will be offered 12 different wines, ranging from lighter to stronger, to help consumers pair them with the range of Artisanal cheeses with flavor profiles of mild to strong.   Through email campaigns and in-store demonstrations, both companies will promote this new wine and cheese experience that engages customers and helps them re-create exceptional culinary experiences at home. 

Daniel W. Dowe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Artisanal said, "Admiral has been marketing fine wines and spirits to retailers for two generations.  With Admiral helping us cross-promote our cheeses with their wines, we are able to showcase the Artisanal CheeseClock™ and give consumers the knowledge they desire to make smart pairing choices.  What consumers really want, and often do not get, is some guidance at the store level, so we are providing that."  

Dowe continued, "Under this partnership, Artisanal will install and maintain ownership over its refrigeration units and eliminate the up-front cost to retailers, which was the only major obstacle to signing them on in the past.  Having both sales organizations available to address questions and make in-store visits will further ensure exceptional merchandising of the Artisanal brand and that store personnel are well-informed to speak with customers about cheese and wine choices."

"Artisanal currently has approximately 200 retailers stocking its products, and we will work closely with Admiral to identify about 600 more prospective retailers for this program in New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware.  We expect to see a significant sales boost for Artisanal as this program expands throughout the region and as our premium brand delivers on its promise to both retailers and consumers," said Dowe.

About Artisanal Brands, Inc.
Artisanal Brands Inc. markets Artisanal Premium Cheese's line of specialty, artisanal and farmstead cheese products, as well as other related specialty food products under its own brand, to food wholesalers and retailers, and directly to consumers through its catalogue and website, www.artisanalcheese.com. Artisanal Brands, Inc. is based in New York City and its customers include The Four Seasons, Hyatt, Neiman Marcus, Ritz Carlton, the American Express Wine Connoisseurs Club, as well as exclusive wine and liquor retailers in New Jersey and Connecticut.

Safe Harbor Statement:
Forward-looking statements made in this press release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations that involve risks and uncertainties that may result in such expectations not being realized.  Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks described in Company filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

SOURCE Artisanal Brands, Inc.